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Chertsey
is in north Surrey on the River Thames.
The town
has had a long and distinguished history. This was once the
site of a powerful Benedictine Abbey, established in AD 666.
The Abbey owned much of the surrounding countryside and in
medieval times was famous for the production of decorated
floor tiles. Some of these tiles can be seen in the Chertsey
Museum.
The parish
church of St Peter's has an attractive medieval tower and
chancel arch. Chertsey also boasts some charming 18th century
houses.
The town
is part of the Borough of Runnymeade, named after the riverside
meadow where King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215.
Chertsey
Museum, located in a fine Regency house, gives visitors
the chance to explore the history of the Borough of Runnymeade
using hands-on interactive displays. A highlight of the museum
is the important Olive Matthews Collection of Dress and Textiles,
illustrating fashion over the past 300 years.
The river
is spanned by an elegant seven-arched bridge at Chertsey and
there is lots of riverside activity here including pubs, boatbuilding
yards and river traffic.
Chertsey
Meads is a delightful 170 acre site of open grassland fronting
the River Thames, with wildlife habits, walks and picnic areas.
Nearby
is Thorpe
Park, owned by the Tussauds Group. This theme park is
one of the best in the UK and offers a wide range of amusements
for families, young people and groups. Covering 500 acres,
the park is divided into five areas: Ranger Country, Thorpe
Farm, Fantasy Reef, Central Park and Canada Creek, each with
its own shops and cafés.
A short
distance from Thorpe Park is John
Battleday Waterski. The centre offers a number of activities
including waterskiing, cable skiing and wake boarding and
caters for all levels of ability.
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Chertsey
