AProfile of Horley
Horley is at the southernmost point of Surrey, with a population of around 23,000.
It is strategically close to Gatwick Airport, the M23 Motorway (which links with the
London Orbital Motorway, the M25) and the London to Brighton railway line. It lies
within easy reach of London, the south coast of England and the English Channel ports,
with regular direct train services to Brighton, London and beyond.
History
The growth of Horley commenced in the 1840s when the London to Brighton railway line
was constructed. A station was built creating important links to the coast and the City
of London. By 1940 Horley had grown steadily to a population of around 8,000. Whereas
agriculture had been the main activity prior to World War II, this changed rapidly as
Horley became a dormitory town for London commuters. In 1953 Gatwick was declared the
site for London’s second airport, which had a dramatic effect on Horley as it became a
place to house the growing workforce.
Geography
Horley lies on the Weald, an area consisting mainly of heavy clay soil, a few miles
south of the high chalk North Downs. It is bordered to the south by the River Mole.
Nearby Gatwick Airport is two miles to the south. The Weald runs towards the west into
Sussex and towards the east into Kent.
Industry & Leisure
Seventy-one per cent of Horley’s working population is engaged in various forms of
employment. One third of Horley’s residents work in the town; another third work in Crawley
or at Gatwick, and the remainder travel further afield to Reigate, Redhill and London etc
(source ONS and 2001 census). Many of those working locally are engaged in retail, service
industries (e.g. catering, guest houses and hotels), financial services and light engineering.
Leisure activities available at the town council’s recreation grounds include football,
basketball, skateboarding, outdoor tennis, a nature trail at Emlyn Meadows fitness centres
and a swimming pool. The Archway Theatre produces a successful programme of plays.
There are many associations and clubs to satisfy everyone’s hobbies and interests. Details
are available later in the Guide. In addition the Town Council site web site
www.horleysurrey-tc.gov.uk provides a full
directory of all these organisations
Annual Events that take place in Horley
Horley in Bloom
This annual event takes place in July. Businesses, pubs, restaurants, hotels
and residents of Horley compete for prizes in various gardening, landscaping and
decorative categories. A presentation evening takes place in September.
Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks
A very popular annual event held in the Horley Recreation Ground on the Saturday
closest to 5 November.
Parade & Services of Remembrance
(In association with the Royal British Legion)
The Memorial Gardens are opened and crosses are planted on the Wednesday preceding 11
November. On 11 November, if this does not fall on a Sunday, there is a short service in
the Memorial Gardens at which the two minutes’ silence is observed. The main parade and
service takes place on Remembrance Sunday.