Horton Cemetery

"Out of sight, out of mind" - remembering Epsom’s forgotten people 

On Tuesday 10th  October World Mental Health Day will remember Epsom’s forgotten residents – more than 9000  

psychiatric patients buried and now abandoned in Europe's largest asylum cemetery. 

Arranged by the charity Home - Friends of Horton Cemetery  the main ceremony will be on Seymour's "Cemetery Field" adjacent to the Horton Cemetery.  

Parking is in Hook Road Arena car park where Marshalls will be on hand to guide your walk. (As the ceremony will be starting at 1.00pm you’re advised to be parked by 12.40 latest.)  

After the Cemetery event join the procession to Horton Chapel in Haven Way, (now known as The Horton) where the symbolic flowers will be planted.  

These flowers were individually painted in workshops across Surrey and central London,                                     

Lionel Blackman, the charity's founder and secretary, says: “We need strong proof of public support which will act as a very significant ‘de-valuer’ of the land  

in the eyes of speculators. Already the chances of development look close to zero. But it seems to be politically necessary to establish a very strong community determination. 

As a result of the October event we might be able to persuade the Minister of Justice to indicate he would never grant permission for re-interments and thus any 

 development. 

Something else to note ~ Due to the historic importance of the Cemetery it was listed as a Local Heritage Asset in '21 and Historic England recognised it as a site of national ‘everyday heritage’ in ’22.