Prince's Stand

This list entry was subject to a Minor Enhancement on 31/05/2018

TQ 2158 39/218

EPSOM EPSOM DOWNS Epsom Downs Racecourse Prince's Stand

(Formerly listed as Princes' Stand, EPSOM DOWNS)

II The Prince's Stand was erected in 1879 near Tattenham Corner, on the Epsom Racecourse. It faces south on to the racecourse and is formed of two storeys, faced with stucco. It is surmounted by a flat roof cum viewing platform, all hidden behind a parapet. The principal elevations of the structure have vermiculated quoins at the corners, and there is a verandah to first-floor, supported by iron columns and brackets. The verandah has a tent-like roof which is also supported on iron columns. There are two French casements on ground floor, which are flanked by blind panels. On the first floor there are two sashes with glazing bars, and a further two French casements.

The racecourse was the scene of one of the best known protests by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the organisation formed by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1903, which used militant methods in its campaign to win votes for women. The protest was carried out by Emily Wilding Davison, a 41 year-old graduate. Davison joined the Union in 1906 and went to prison seven times for militant activities. On 4 June 1913 she ran across the track during the Derby and was struck by the King’s horse, Anmer. Davison died four days later and received spectacular funerals in London and Morpeth, which were organised by the WSPU. While historians disagree over whether or not Davison intended to die, recent analysis of film footage taken on the day suggests that she was trying to fix a scarf to the horse’s bridle. The scarf, striped with the WSPU’s colours of purple, white and green, was recovered from the track and is now in the Parliamentary archives.

This list entry was amended in 2018 as part of the centenary commemorations of the 1918 Representation of the People Act.

Listing NGR: TQ2160458572