Description
Banstead, a village and a parish in Surrey. The village stands under the SW side of Banstead Downs, 4 miles E of Epsom, on the L.B. & S.C.R., 16 miles from London. The parish comprises 5557 acres; population of the civil parish, 4560; of the ecclesiastical, 3913. It is within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan police. The London County Lunatic Asylum, situated on the Banstead Downs, was opened in 1877. It is a large structure of white brick, and will accommodate 2000 patients. Banstead Downs rise to the height of 576 feet, command extensive views, and are famous for coursing, for hunting, and for fine sheep pasturage. Here, said Pope£ " To Hounslow Heath I point, and Banstead Down, Thence comes your mutton and these chicks my own."
The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Winchester; net value, £150 with residence. Patron, the Earl of Egmont. The cliurch is chiefly Perpendicular English; has a good tower, surmounted by a tall spire; stands on high ground, and serves well, for miles round, as a landmark. Banstead has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Epsom.
