With its fresh air, furze and distinctive 18th century postmill, Reigate Heath is the home of the Reigate Heath Golf Club as well as the Reigate Race Course, Reigate Heath Cricket Club and the Old Surrey and Burstow Hunt. A Football Club was established after the Great War. J Arthur Rank (later, Lord Rank) of Reigate Heath became its President.

Reigate Heath - people playing golf c1913
Courtesy of Surrey History Centre (7828/2/122/184)

Founded by local medical practitioners the Reigate Heath Golf Club was opened by its generous benefactor and President, Lady Henry Somerset in 1897. Admiral Beatty (First Sea Lord from 1919 to 1927), Countess Beatty and Sir Jeremiah Colman, a well-known industrialist who developed Colman's Mustard into an international concern, patronised the club.

Reigate Heath, people playing golf, 2008. Courtesy of Grace Filby

In 1982, Ryder Cup golfer Peter Allis and comedian Eric Sykes played some holes for a BBC programme, describing the beautiful course as “a little gem”.

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20th Century Surrey

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