Langley Bottom Farm

Very little is known of the history of Langley Bottom Farm but from manorial records it does appear to suggest that Langley was originally a settlement with several tenants, a small hamlet and later it became a single farm but after the Black Death it started to disappear from the map. By 1225/1235 it is clear that Langley had an open field system with at least two large fields divided into furlongs . . . and these in acre strips. In documents dated 1225/1235 Anfrid or Amfrid de Langley is shown as holding these lands, neighboured by the de Ocleys and by Richard de Boycroft - these were not local residents - purely landowners who owned land all over England.

By 1802 the farm had become became part of the Ashtead Park Estate - the property of Richard Howard of Ashtead.

1342/3 Robert, son of Adam de Down and his grandson Gilbert take out a holding in the farm of eighteen acres.

The manorial survey of 1496 suggests Langley was now being farmed as a single holding. Previous tenants since the 1430s had been John Downers, John Kekaw, Richard Ewell and Thomas Kyng.

In 1841, according to the Census of that year, John Worley was a shepherd living at Langley Bottom Farm in Epsom with Sarah and their children Edward, John and Martha. Living in the Warren next to Langley Bottom Farm was Abraham Worley who was likely a relative. Abraham worked on the farm. At the time Abraham was 40 as was his wife Amelia. They had children George aged 15, Mary 7, Louisa 5 and Emma 2.

1861 Census

Thomas Bowyer and his family were shown to be living at Langley Bottom which then consisted of 113 acres. He employed two labourers and two boys. Thomas was born at Walton on the Hill, Surrey and his wife, Eliza was born in Bath in Somerset. Their children were : Joseph, a butcher, John and Morris who were scholars, all born at Walton on the Hill. Others living at Langley Bottom Farm in 1861 were Richard Bashford was shown as a Carter, he was born in Chipstead and William Wild, a shepherd who was born in Epsom.

1871 Census

James Issard and his wife, Hannah were shown to be living at Langley Bottom Farm in 1871. James was an Agricultural Labourer, born at East Oakley in Hampshire and Hannah was born in Berkshire. Also living at Langley Bottom Farm was Jessie Cannon, an Agricultural Labourer born at Billingshurst in Sussex.

1881 Census

George Vincent, Farm Bailiff and his family were shown as living at Langley Bottom Farm. George was born at Feringfield in Suffolk and his wife, Mary was born at Mildenhall in Suffolk. Their son Alfred was shown to be a scholar born in Rotherhithe, Surrey and their son George, also a scholar, was born in Merstham, Surrey. Also living at Langley Bottom Farm was George Skilton, a Carter who was born in Ashtead, Surrey, and Henry Guliett(?), a Carter who was born in Sussex.

1891 Census

James Skinner, Farm Servant and his family were shown as living at Langley Bottom Farm. James was born in Stradbrooke in Suffolk and his wife, Mary Ann was born at Wilby in Suffolk. Their sons Stephen, Frederick and Charles were all born in Wilby in Suffolk while their son Stanley was born at Chessington in Surrey. Their daughters Edith and Ethel were both born in Epsom.

1901 Census

James Skinner and his wife, Mary were still living at Langley Bottom Farm. Their son Stanley, now a Carter and their daughters Edith and Ethel were still living with them. Also living at Langley Bottom Farm was William Lillywhite, Estate Labourer who was born at Addington in Surrey.

(1975 photos by kind permission of Julian Worley)

Langley Bottom Farm 2007

Derelict farm cottage which was built between 1913-1933

The new farmhouse and the farm as it it today in 2007