Epsom Downs
The Epsom Downs are an area of chalk upland near Epsom in, Surrey and forming part of the North Downs.
Part of the area is taken up by the Epsom Downs Racecourse. The gallops are part of the land purchased by Stanly Wootton in 1925 in order that racehorses might be trained without interference. There are over 12 miles of routeways for hack riders.[1] There are bylaws for the use of the Downs.[2]
The downs are open to users such as ramblers, model aircraft flyers, golfers and cyclists. But all users are subject to the controls laid down by the purchase order. Since January 2006 model aircraft flyers on the Downs have been required to be members of the Epsom Downs Model Aircraft Club.[3]
From the top there are panoramic views of London to the north from the Downs. The area is served by Epsom Downs and Tattenham Corner railway stations.
Conservators
Epsom Downs is managed by the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators, which consists of six borough councillors, three representatives of the Epsom Downs Racecourse and one from the racehorse trainers. They are responsible for the maintenance and control of the Downs and the cost of this is split in the same proportion as the representation. The Conservators were set up in 1984 to give a voice to the users of the Downs.[4]