Pictures of Godalming

a Historic Market Town in the county of Surrey

Take a picture tour of Godalming

Godalming Pictures Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Godalming Hotels Submit Pictures Godalming Map Godalming Forum Add town to favourites

About Godalming

The polygogonal white market hall of 1814 marks out the fine centre of Godalming. The building, known locally as "The Pepper Pot" has arcades and a cupola, it is of striking appearance, especially when lit against the night-time sky.

A feature of the town is its long narrow streets, these stretch out from the River Wey and are lined with several gracious historic properties. One of these is the noted Kings Arms Hotel, this can trace its history back to the 14th century, between the 17th and 18th centuries it was a famous coaching inn. Amongst its many illustrious visitors the inn notes King Henry VIII, Czar Peter the Great of Russia, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. The inn retains much old world character and charm.

The church dedicated to St.Peter and St.Paul stands on a Saxon site, this is a cruciform church with a central tower and spire, it contains work from all periods, showing parts of its Norman origin through to restoration work of the 19th century. The church makes an interesting visit, it possesses wall paintings from the 12th century, statues, carvings, later paintings, carved Saxon stones and many flags and banners.

Godalming Museum shows fine collections and has exhibits tracing the long history of the town. It celebrates the lives of many famous people associated with Godalming, these include Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Edwin Luytens, Jack Philips (hero of the ill fated Titanic) and there is a room in the museum dedicated to Gertrude Jekyll. The museum also honour General James Oglethorpe who lived in Godalming during the 18th century, he founded the colony of Georgia in the U.S.A. in the year 1732. This is a fascinating museum with something to interest everyone.

The town is found in the heart of magnificent Surrey countryside halfway between London and the south coast, it is this favoured location that has been responsible for its development since it was first mentioned by Alfred the Great in his last will. It has always been an up-market town, and interestingly in 1881 this was the first town to be lit with public lighting.

Charterhouse School is just outside the town, this was founded in London in 1611 and moved to Godalming in 1872. The school buildings are dominated by the 150 foot Founder's Tower. Also a short distance away, but within easy driving distance is Winkworth Arboretum, here you can see a fine collection of trees, stunning when clad in their "autumn glory" of orange, red and gold. Spring brings a different vista, then there are pretty bluebells beneath branches bursting with buds. The arboretum has magical flower beds, hillside woodland, two lakes and many rare plants and shrubs. It makes an exceptional visit and is of interest to both gardeners and anyone passionate about nature.

Today, this charming rural town offers visitors an interesting time, it has a rich mixture of architecture, pleasant parks and gardens, excellent shopping facilities with a strong emphasis on individual shops such as craft and antiques. It has excellent restaurants serving cuisines of many cultures, good pubs, entertainments centres, a golf course and leisure facilities.

Add town to favourites

Submit a history of Godalming

Recommended towns & villages near Godalming

	Guildford (4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction NE) It has a High Street of mellow Georgian buildings, and despite changing times Guildford is a town that has managed to maintain its charm and character... Information | Pictures (79) | Hotels
	Farnham (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction W) It was King Caedwalla of Wessex who, in 688 bestowed the Manor of Farnham on the Bishop's of Winchester... Information | Pictures (25) | Hotels
	Farnborough (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction NW) This town is listed in the Doomsday Book of 1086, then it was a mere settlement which over the passing centuries developed into a village... Information | Pictures (28) | Hotels
	Dorking (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction E) It is here that romantically Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton said their good byes before Nelson departed for the Battle of Trafalgar in the year 1805... Information | Pictures (16) | Hotels
	Cobham (13.3 miles, 21.3 km, direction NE) Cobham Mill rests on a picturesque stretch of the river surrounded by dipping weeping willows and graceful swans... Information | Pictures (8) | Hotels

All towns in Surrey
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Godalming

	Winkworth Arboretum (2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction SE) The magnificent landscape of Winkworth was begun in 1937 when Dr.Wilfred Fox took the opportunity to acquire a parcel of land..... Information | Pictures (13) | Hotels
	Loseley House (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction N) This lovely gabled Elizabethan house, built of a greenish-grey ragstone from the ruins of nearby Waverley Abbey, was built around..... Information | Pictures (2) | Hotels
	The Witley Centre (3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SW) Countryside visitor and education centre... Information | Hotels
	Guildford Castle (4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NE) This is one of the few castles that the French did manage to capture. It was one of three English castle's taken by the Dauphin..... Information | Pictures (7) | Hotels
	Guildford Cathedral (4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction N) This great Surrey cathedral is one of the few churches to come out of the 20th-century. Its design by Sir Edward Maufe had been..... Information | Pictures (5) | Hotels

All attractions in Godalming
All attractions in Surrey
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Hotels & Accommodation in Godalming

	The Kings Arms and Royal Hotel 22 - 26 High Street, Godalming,Surrey, Surrey, England (0.1 miles, 0.1 km) Built in the 17th century, there has been an inn on the site of this hotel since the 1350's. Currently under refurbishment, the hotel offers comfortable en suite bedrooms, each one telling a story ... More info and book online..  Price from £60.00
	Barnett Hill Blackheath Lane, Wonersh, Guildford, Surrey, England (3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction E) Set in a stunning location, only 5 minutes from Guildford. Barnett Hill is an elegant listed country house with beautiful gardens. Carefully modernised and updated to include 54 individually decorat... More info and book online..  Price from £85.00
	Holiday Inn Guildford Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, Surrey, England (3.8 miles, 6.0 km, direction N) The Holiday Inn Guildford is a modern full-service hotel 1.5 miles from Guildford Town Centre, with easy acess via the M25/A3. The hotel offers 168 air conditioned bedrooms and public areas with high ... More info and book online..  Price from £79.00
	The Guildford Hotel 253 Upper High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England (4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NE) Situated in the centre of town, the hotel is at the top end of the famous cobbled high street close to the station. It is very much part of the social and commercial life of Guildford. The hotel is ... More info and book online..  Price from £65.00
	Mandolay 36-40 London Road, Guildford, Surrey, Surrey, England (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NE) This hotel offers a prime town centre location, conveniently positioned near the motorway and train station. The hotel's Bar 36 is a stylish espresso bar by day and vibrant cocktail bar come eveni... More info and book online..  Price from £60.00

More Godalming hotels...

Nearby travel help

Godalming Station	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Farncombe Station	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km)
M3 Junction 4	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW)
M3 Junction 4A	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NW)
London Gatwick Airport	(19.0 miles, 30.6 km, direction E)
London Heathrow Airport	(21.1 miles, 34.0 km, direction N)
Godalming to London	(30.7 miles, 49.4 km, direction NE)