Places
to visit in Surrey
Box
Hill
An
outstanding area of woodland and downland with many rare species and much to
offer the rambler and naturalist.
The
Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth, KT20 7LB
Phone:
01306 885502
Opening
times: Open all year, except Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Years Day,
Prices:
Free, car parking charges for non National Trust Members
Travel
information: Nearest Railway Station : Dorking 3 miles
Clandon
Park
Just
off the A25 near Guildford, Surrey (well signposted)
A
beautiful Palladian Mansion owned by the National Trust with magnificent marble
hall, furniture, textiles and porcelain. Attractive gardens.
Clandon
Park, West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RQ
Phone:
01483 222482
Opening
times: Open April-October, Tues, Weds, Thurs & Sun and Bank Holidays.
Prices:
Contact Clandon Park for further details
Travel
information: Situated on the outskirts of Guildford on the A25
Dapdune
Wharf
Discover
the story of Surrey's oldest waterway and the people who lived and worked on it.
Enjoy boat trips, childrens trails and the interactive exhibits
Wharf
Road, Guildford, GU1 4RR
Phone:
01483 561389
Opening
times: 19th Mar - 30th Oct Thu-Mon 11.00-17.00
Prices:
Please Contact Dapdune Wharf for details
Travel
information: Nearest Station Guildford 1/2 mile
Devils
Punch Bowl
The
gateway to the Surrey Hills with fine views. Local people, visitors from further
a field and those journeying along the A3 can all enjoy the stunning scenery of
the Devil’s Punch Bowl and Hindhead Commons from the viewpoint 50 yds from the
café.
London
Road, Hindhead, GU26 6AB
Phone:
01428 608771
Opening
times: Commons open all year, CAFE, 1 Apr- 31 Oct, 9am-5pm, 1 Nov-31 Mar,
9am-4pm
Prices:
Car Parking Charges may apply, please check with Devils Punch Bowl
Travel
information: Bus: Stagecoach in Hants & Surrey 18/19; 71 Haslemere-
Aldershot. Station: Haslemere 3 miles.
Dorking
Caves
Much
of Dorking is built upon the soft sand of the Greensand Hills. These hills rise
to the south and west of the town to form Leith Hill. The honey coloured
sandstone can also be seen in many local buildings. The softness of the sand has
resulted in a honeycomb of passages and shafts, many of them being associated
with strange stories and legends. All of the caves are man-made, although the
reason for constructing them and their age is part of their enigmatic character.
Historian John Aubrey referred to the caves in the 17th century, praising their
qualities as wine cellars. The oldest date found inscribed on the walls is 1672
and one theory is that they were excavated to provide material for the
rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666. As for their use, it seems
that the caves were quite likely to have been used by smugglers. Dorking was
conveniently located between the south coast and London and entrances to the
caves were well hidden. One cave in High Street is known to have provided a
venue for cock fighting. Others may have been used as a hiding hole during
periods of religious persecution. The South Street caves are amongst the most
extensive, descending over 50 feet below ground level. It is said that the
gentleman who constructed them bankrupted himself in the process and ended up in
the poor house
South
Street, Dorking
Phone:
01306 879327 (Contact for opening times and prices)
Farnham
Castle Keep
Stunning
Motte & Bailey castle once one of the seats of the Bishops of Winchester.
Audio tours available for true historic experience.
Farnham
Castle, Castle Hill, Farnham, Surrey, GU6 0AG
Phone:
01252 713393
Opening
times: Open daily from April-October from 10am
Prices:
Contact Farnham Castle for further details
Travel
information: Situated just outside the centre of Farnham also accessible by
train, station is within walking distance
Great
and Little Ponds at Frensham
The
common was once important to local communities as a source of fuel and other
materials, and as rough grazing for their livestock. These days the site is
valued for recreation and nature conservation and it's many miles of footpaths
and bridleways on which to explore the Common. Angling and sailing are
restricted to members of the relevant clubs The common supports a wealth of
wildlife. Species found on the heath include sand lizard, smooth snake,
woodlark, Dartford Warbler and nightjar. The ponds also attract rare visitors
such as the osprey, especially during spring and autumn
Bacon
Lane, Churt
Phone:
01252 792416
Opening
times: Car Park opening times : Summer closing times: 1st April - 1st November -
the car park will be closing at 9pm
Travel
information: Public Transport: - Stage Coach South bus route no 19 from Farnham
Station stopping at Pond Lane pillar box.
Guildford
Castle
The
imposing stone tower keep of Guildford Castle was the subject of major
conservation work in 2003. Major discoveries were made including the fact that
the keep was originally lower in height. Following these developments the first
floor reception chamber has been re-floored and roofed for the first time in
centuries allowing a permanent exhibition to be displayed inside. The Castle
Grounds, a riot of spectacular floral colour, are open all year round.
Castle
Road, Guildford, GU1 3AJ
Phone:
01483 444715
Opening
times: Open: Castle: April - September 11.00 am - 6.00 pm every day; October,
November & March Saturday and Sunday 11.00 am - 4.00 pm; Closed December,
January and February. Grounds open all year.
Prices:
please contact Guildford castle for details.
Hatchlands
Park and Gardens
18th
Century house with early Adam interiors. Houses Cobbe collection, keyboard
instruments associated with famous composers. Surrounded by 430 acres of
parkland with way-marked walks. National Trust
East
Clandon, Guildford, GU4 7RT
Phone:
01483 222482
Opening
times: Park : 27th March-30th Oct Daily 11.00-18.00, House : Tues, Wed, Thu, Sun
14.00-17.30 open Fridays and Bank Holiday Mondays in August
Prices:
Please contact Hatchlands Park for details, free to National Trust members
Travel
information: Nearest Railway station: Clandon 2 miles
Leith
hill tower
An
18th Century Gothic Tower with panoramic views to London and the English Channel
to the South. Rugged countryside. Circular nature trails with leaflet
Leith
Hill, Nr Coldharbour, Dorking
Phone:
01306 712434
Opening
times: Tower: 18th March - 30th Oct, Fri, sat, Sun 10.00-17.00 5th Nov - 12th
Mar, Sat, Sun 10.00-15.30, Open in Wed in Aug, All Bank holidays except
Christmas Day. Woods and estates open all year.
Prices:
Please contact Leith Hill for Details
Travel
information: Nearest Station Holmwood 3 miles
Loseley
House and Park
Stunning
Elizabethan mansion, set amidst attractive parkland and glorious walled garden
and lake walk.
Guildford,
GU3 1HS
Phone:
01483 304440
Opening
times: Garden, shop and tea room : May-Sept Tues-Sun and Bank Holiday Monday
11.00-17.00, House: May-Aug, Tues, Wed, Thu, Sun and Bank Holiday Monday 13.00
-17.00
Prices:
Please contact Loseley for details
Travel
information: Nearest railway station Guildford 3 miles. See website for
directions
Newlands
Corner
A
local beauty spot on the A25 near Guildford served by a large car park, this is
the centre point of a large area of woodland and chalk grassland very popular
with walkers and picnickers. Footpaths lead to the villages of Shere, Albury and
Chilworth and the breathtaking views take in the lonely St Martha's Church
standing on a neighbouring hill surrounded by woodland.
Opening
times: Open all year round
Travel
information: A25 Near Guildford
Pride
of the Valley Sculpture Park
The
most atmospheric Sculpture Park in Britain, adjoining 1000's of acres of
Frensham Country Park at the foothills of Devils Jumps and the finest views in
the county. Offering a wide variety of topographical situations featuring lawns,
low-lying bog, coniferous and deciduous woodland, hillsides and valleys. There
are three lakes fed by two fast flowing streams. Over 1.5 miles of all weather
pathways, offer access to this magnificent venue for a Sculpture Park.
Jumps
Road, Churt, Farnham, GU10 2LE
Phone:
01428 605453
Opening
times: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm closed Mondays
Prices:
Please Contact Sculpture Park for details
Ramster
Gardens
First
laid out in 1900, Ramster's 20 acres are now a mature flowering shrub garden
with interesting and unusual specimen trees and shrubs. At its best in spring
through to early summer, with banks of brilliantly coloured rhododendrons and
azaleas, streams and ponds and carpets of bluebells. The millennium garden with
its Mediterranean feel gives a dramatically modern alternative to the more
traditional gardens. Exhibitions of sculpture and embroidery are held regularly
during the garden opening and the Long Hall is an excellent venue for weddings
and other functions.
Chiddingfold,
GU8 4SN
Phone:
01428 654167 (Contact for opening times and prices)
Reigate
and Colley Hill
Rising
steeply to the North of Reigate is the chalk downland that comprises Colley and
Reigate Hills. The area in the Surrey Hills AONB is a mixture of open grassland
and woodland, and has excellent views over the neighbouring countryside.
Reigate
and Colley Hill, Reigate
Travel
information: Car Parks at Wray Lane off A217 and at Margery Wood
Reigate
Castle
Reigate
Castle was a stone motte and bailey although no traces of masonry survive; it is
still an impressive site. The large oval motte is natural with a wide deep
surrounding ditch, a small stone pyramid guards an underground sallyport,
emerging level with the bottom of the moat, it is accessible by guided tours
only. The gatehouse guarding the bridge to the bailey is a 18th century folly.
Town
Centre, Reigate
Opening
times: Open all year round
Travel
information: Reigate Castle is located in the town centre, off High Street in a
public park. 22 miles south of London on the A23-A242.
Rural
Life Centre
A
museum of past village life with a Chapel, Arboretum, Smithy, Pavillion,
childrens play areas and much much more.
Rural
Life Centre, Old Kiln Museum Trust, Reeds Road, Tilford, Surrey, GU10 2DL
Phone:
01252 795571
Opening
times: Open April - October 11am-6pm
Prices:
Contact The Museum of Rural Life for further details
Travel
information: Situated 3 miles south of Farnham. Farnham train station is within
5 miles.
Secretts
Farm
A
country shopping emporium on a farm with fantastic fresh produce, flowers,
plants etc.
Secretts
Farm, Hurst Farm, Chapel Lane, Milford, Surrey, GU8 5HU
Phone:
01483 520500
Opening
times: Open all year round 9am-5.30pm
Prices:
Free entry
Travel
information: Situated just off the A3 at Milford. Also accessible by train,
station is within walking distance.
Winkworth
Arboretum
Owned
by the National Trust Winkworth Arboretum encompasses a hillside woodland
created in 20th Century, stunning shrubs and trees, an abundance of wildlife
etc. - a truly peaceful day out.
Winkworth
Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Nr Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4AD
Phone:
01483 208477 (Contact for opening times and prices)
Travel
information: Just off the Hascombe road on the way to Godalming. Nearest train
station is Godalming.
Hill
Forts
During
the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, hill forts were constructed on the
fringes of what is now Surrey. These ramparts and ditches still exist in the
landscape, and were likely not just defensive forts but population centres in
their time.
These included Felday, near Shere; Botany Hill Camp and Soldier's Ring, at The Sands near Farnham; Holmbury Camp, south of Dorking; Hascombe Hill, south of Godalming; St. Anne's Hill, near Chertsey; Anstiebury Camp, near Coldharbour Common; and St. George's Hill, in Weybridge.
The
Silent Pool
– Albury (Alternate Name: Sherbourne Pond)
Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Surrey. The pool is formed from a nearby natural
spring, and its true name is Sherbourne Pond. Its clear waters and peaceful
setting give it an air of tranquility, or 'silence'.
The
story of Albury
The
village itself was moved from its original location, near the Saxon Church to
its present location. This process was started in 1784 by Captain William Fench,
who obtained magisterial orders to close or re-route the surrounding roads, at a
time when it was fashionable for the Lord of the Manor to live in isolated
splendour.
It
is unusual for a village of this size to boast three churches. The original
church dates back to Saxon times and has been disused since 1842. It is now
looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, a service is held here once a
year in midsummer. It was replaced by the present parish church of St Peter
& St Paul in Weston Street. Both this church and the Apostolic Church, were
built by Henry Drummond, who bought Albury Park Estate in 1819.
It
was Drummond who commissioned the architect Pugin, famous for his detailing work
on the Houses of Parliament, to build a new village. His Tudor style chimneys
over the houses in the village can still be seen today. Later he was to work on
rebuilding Drummond's Park House, complete with sixty-three differently designed
chimneys.
The
earliest reference to the house is in 1645, when it was owned by the then future
Duke of Norfolk. The estate itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book, with
records going back to 1042. The gardens of the original Tudor manor house were
laid out by John Evelyn. Much of his work can still be seen today, including
terraces and a tunnel which runs through the hill. In the yard there is an
Elizabethan Pigeon House, one of only a few in the country left standing.
In
1830 the corn mill was deliberately set on fire and the miller was shot at,
during one of the 'Swing Riots'. These riots took place all over Southern
England in 1830, in protest of the poor circumstances farm workers found
themselves in. Soon after a religious revival was to sweep the land with the
fervent preaching of the Second Advent of Christ. It was during this time that
Henry Drummond became one of the founders of the Catholic Apostolic Church. In
1840 as an Apostle, he spent £15,000 building their first church and helped
turn Albury into an annual conference centre.
Map Ref: TQ060486
Artington Spring
Sacred Spring in Surrey. Situated at the point where the Pilgrim’s Way crosses
the River Wey the spring was reputed to cure sore eyes. As late as the end of
the 19th Century schoolchildren apparently collected the water in bottles. It is
at the base of St. Catherine’s Hill (formally Drake’s Hill), itself
surmounted by the remains of St. Catherine’s chapel. Having parked by the
entrance to the lane named St. Catherine’s Hill follow the road downhill; it
becomes a footpath, heading down to the site of the old ferry. The spring is by
the side of the road, with a copious outflow of water flowing down to the River
Wey. The water emerges from an opening in the hill framed by a dry stone
surround. There are remnants of some more masonry are at the bottom of the
stream, which flows under an ornamental bridge and beside a seat on its way to
the river.
Map Ref: SU994482
Lady Well - Tuesley
Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Surrey. Although the term “Lady Well” does not
necessarily imply a religious connection, this one has a convent named after it,
albeit as recently as 1956. Near to the convent, in Minster Field, is the site
of a 7th Century chapel, although no remnants remain – follow the signs marked
“Shrine”. It is thought to have been founded on the site of a Saxon shrine
to the god Tew or Tiw, who gives the area its name – in 1220 the name was
Tiwerlei. At that time, mention was made of the chapel, dedicated to the Blessed
Virgin, as the first church established in Godalming. By then, services were
held only three times a year. A fair was held in the field on Lady Day until
1540. The foundations of the Minster were partly excavated in 1860. At the
bottom of the road, known for centuries as Ladywell Hill, just before the stream
running under the road we find Busbridge Lakes on the left. A tall fence
prevents trespassers, or even casual visitors from reaching the water –
apparently fees are payable for fishing. From the map, it would appear that the
well, or rather spring, is next to the fence, where the footpath leaves the
road, and flowing water is visible through the fence. Apparently the parish
church of St. John the Baptist, Busbridge, contains a stained glass window
showing Augustine baptising King Ethelbert and another of a pilgrim drinking
from the spring, whilst on the hill above him the Minster Church may be seen.
Map Ref: SU968421
St.
Mary's Well - Compton
Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Surrey.
Situated in "Mother Ludlam's Cave" on the slopes above the River Wey
close to Waverley Abbey, the name is reportedly that given by the monk who
traced the spring when searching for a water supply for the Abbey. The
noticeboard close by suggests that the name Ludlam comes from the Celtic for
"loud bubbling stream", which indicated a longer history.
The cave is reached by taking the footpath to the left just up Camp Hill, across
the bridge from the Abbey ruins.
Map Ref: SU870457
St. Margaret's Well - Mugswell
Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Surrey. You could say that this well is ideally
positioned - in the garden of a CAMRA recommended pub! The pub is the Well
House, on Chipstead Lane, quite close to Junction 8 of the M25. A notice on the
well, which is of the wishing well type, complete with bucket, says that it is
thought to be the one mentioned in the Domesday Book, and that the village of
Mugswell derives its name from here. Possible problems with this are that the
village is about half a mile away up the hill and the road leading to it is
called Monkswell Lane.
Map Ref: TQ258553
St Mary the Virgin's Well
- Dunsfold
Holy Well / Spring in Surrey. The well is down a footpath downhill from St.
Mary's Church.
Map
Ref: SU997363
Watts Chapel
Designed and built by Mary Watts, the Chapel is a unique fusion of art nouveau, Celtic, Romanesque and Egyptian influence with Mary's own original style. It is impossible not to admire the work and inspiration that lies behind this beautiful little building.
As followers of the Home Arts and Industries Association, set up by Earl Brownlow in 1885 to encourage handicrafts among the lower classes, the Chapel was the Watts's contribution to this characteristically Victorian preoccupation with social improvement through creative enlightenment. Mary passionately believed that anyone with a real interest and enthusiasm could be taught how to produce beautiful decoration, if in the process it kept them away from the 'gin palaces' of Guildford, this was surely a good thing. With this belief firmly in mind she encouraged all from the village, whatever their social status, up to their house Limnerslease for instruction in clay modelling.
The clay came from a seam that was discovered in the grounds of their house, apparently not unusual for this area. Taking this as a sign, Mary embarked upon the project with her usual determination, writing to the Parish Council in 1895 offering to build a new cemetery chapel, as the old graveyard in the village church of St Nicholas was full to capacity. Her offer was accepted. As early as 1888 concerned parishioners had discussed the problem of space and plans were therefore already underway for land to be purchased from the Loseley Estate.
Mary had produced her clay model of the new chapel by August 1895 and later that year the sale of land from William More-Molyneux was agreed.
The first clay modelling class took place at Limnerslease on Thursday 14 November 1895. All were welcome, from the local lady of the manor to her farm boys, as long as there was a genuine desire to learn, Mary was happy.
After a few weeks learning how to handle clay and modelling simple decorations, they would begin to make clay tiles from the plates Mrs Watts had prepared.
The design itself is an amalgamation of inspiration, every aspect having symbolic meaning. The Circle of Eternity with its intersecting Cross of Faith is from pre-historic times and symbolises the power of redeeming love stretching to the four quarters of the earth.
The dome is traditionally seen as emblematic of heaven, the four panels on the exterior containing friezes symbolising the Spirit of Hope, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Love and the Spirit of Light.
The exterior of the Chapel was finished in 1898, but the decoration of the interior took a while longer. Mary took the most talented of her craftsmen and women and together they created the stunning gesso interior, finally completing it in 1904.
The Chapel is Parish property and is open to the public daily. It is locked up at night.
Please remember that it is still the village cemetery chapel and is sometimes in use.
Down Lane, Compton, Near Guildford, Surrey GU3 1DQ