|
Godalming
lies half way between London and the south coast in some of
the finest countryside in the South East of England.
The town
dates from Saxon times and was mentioned in the will of King
Alfred the Great. The parish church St Peter & St Paul has
a Saxon chancel and Norman tower.
In medieval
times the town thrived as a centre in the woollen trade and
it later became known for weaving and knitting, particularly
stockings. Godalming was also a popular coaching town on
the London to Portsmouth road (now the A3).
In 1760
the town's prosperity was boosted when permission was granted
for the Godalming Navigation. This took the navigation of
the River Wey a further 7km upstream to Godalming, linking
the town to Guildford and from there to the River Thames and
London.
When
Godalming was connected to London by railway in 1849 it soon
became popular as a commuter town.
In 1881
Godalming was the first town in the UK to install a public
supply of electricty and the first in the world to have electric
street lighting.
The attractive
town has many timber-framed buildings and narrow cobbled streets.
The distinctive 19th century Town Hall, nicknamed 'The Pepperpot',
is the symbol of the town, and opposite is the Godalming
Museum, which illustrates the history of the area, as
well as hosting temporary exhibitions.
Charterhouse
School, one of the UK's best known public (ie private) schools,
stands on a hill to the north of Godalming. Founded in 1611,
Charterhouse relocated to Godalming in 1872.
One mile
south of Godalming is Munstead Wood, the modest house created
in 1896 by Edwin Lutyens for the innovative garden designer
Gertrude Jekyll. The 15 acre garden surrounding the house,
designed by Jekyll, is one of the most famous in the country.
Munstead Wood's garden is open for a limited period under
the National Gardens Scheme.
Winkworth
Arboretum, 2 miles south east, has over 1,000 different
trees and shrubs. Owned by the National Trust, the peaceful
hillside woodland boasts wonderful views and impressive displays
of spring flowers and autumn colours.
The small
village of Hambledon, south of Godalming, has the picturesque
Oakhurst Cottage. This 16th century timber-framed building,
owned by the National Trust, contains artifacts illustrating
several centuries of occupation and is surrounded by a delightful
cottage garden.
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
Godalming
