Waypoints

1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 44 m
2. 1 : km 0 - alt. 44 m - Most of us rush through railway stations, anxious to catch a train or continue our journey. On this occasion, let's pause and look. On weekdays, you can grab a drink or snack from the excellent Grubb Café on Platform 1 and wander across the footbridge to drink it on Platform 2 where it is generally quieter. As you enter Platform 2, turn left to find several historical pictures in the station alcoves. Today we will be visiting the Broadwater Estate and the gentleman in the picture in the second doorway is Sir Frederick Marshall who once lived there. We will learn more about him when we visit his estate. But, while we are here, let's note that he had an important railway connection. Sir Frederick was a director of the London and South Western Railway Railway company at around the time Farncombe Station was built. If you had been here in 1849 when the line first opened, you would not have been able to buy a coffee, or sit on the station, or catch a train. Farncombe did not have its own station for the first 50 years. It was 1898 when Farncombe Station opened. Some have conjectured that Sir Frederick was able to use his influence to get Farncombe its own station. If that's true, he also managed to get the station built on quite a grand scale. Take a moment to look around. It's certainly more than a 'provincial halt'. Sir Frederick's family were keen cricketers. His father and brothers were influential members of the Surrey County Cricket Club at The Oval. They established a cricket ground of their own which still exists today (we will see it next) and invited national and international cricketing stars to play there. Crowds flocked to see them and you can imagine them flooding through the station on match days. - Farncombe Station (Seat)
3. 2 : km 0.05 - alt. 43 m - Leave the station via platform 2 (Portsmouth bound) and walk forward along the station access road.
4. 3 : km 0.08 - alt. 42 m - At the end of the station access road, turn left onto Summers Road.
5. 4 : km 0.31 - alt. 41 m - Keep forward on Summers Road (ignoring the turn to the level-crossing on your left.)
6. 5 : km 0.38 - alt. 41 m - Look for an entrance to the park on your right but go past this to find a small pedestrian gate a few paces further on. Turn through the gate into the park. Pass to the left of the cricket club building and then turn left around the cricket nets to follow the edge of the park keeping the hedge to your left. A short way further on, you will find a seat where you can stop to read the next history.
7. 6 : km 0.49 - alt. 41 m - Since the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509) the More family owned much of the land between here and Guildford. For generations, the Mores have lived at Loseley House and their estate came to embrace a number of the local manors. Their name became More-Molyneux in 1689 on the marriage of Thomas Molyneux to Margaret More. The estate is now in the possession of Mr Michael More-Molyneux DL, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. Loseley Park and house are open to the public and can be visited on another walk in this series (No 5.) Our local story begins in 1836 when George Marshall, a prosperous local timber merchant, purchased the neighbouring manor of Catteshall from James More Molyneux. Marshall also became the owner of Broadwater, and several farms and houses in and around the town of Godalming. He set about building himself a house at Broadwater and moved here with his wife, Sarah, in 1844. The house was occupied by 3 generations of his family. George was Mayor of Godalming in 1837 and clearly a very successful businessman. In 1849, he secured an extensive contract to supply English elm to six large, English dockyards. He had a passion for cricket and created his own cricket ground that you still see in front of you today. His sons picked up his interest in cricket. Alexander proved to be the best cricketer and toured the country with William Clarke’s All England XI. He was a leading member of the Surrey County Cricket Club and was one of the signatories for the lease of The Oval in 1854. We met another son, Frederick, back at the station. More of him shortly. George's eldest son, Murray, took over the running of the Broadwater estate on his fathers death in 1853. - Broadwater Estate (Seat)
8. 7 : km 0.5 - alt. 41 m - George Marshall - Godalming Mayor 1837
9. 8 : km 0.51 - alt. 41 m - From the seat, continue a short distance in the same direction to a commemorative tablet set in the grass. It looks a bit like a tombstone!
10. 9 : km 0.53 - alt. 41 m - In just a few paces, we have moved 'fast forward' to the end of the Broadwater era as a privately owned estate. The plaque we are looking at is now difficult to read but it says: 'Cricket Ground – Presented to the Borough of Godalming by Alderman & Mrs Philip C. Fletcher – Corporation Mayoralty 1937” By 1913, the Marshalls had sold Broadwater and a Canadian, George Edward Price, also a timber merchant, was established here. After Price's death, the estate passed to his widow, Henrietta and, on her death in 1935, her executors put Broadwater up for auction. Much of the estate, including the Cricket Club Ground, was bought by Mr. W. Hoptroff, a Godalming builder, who wanted to develop the property for housing. He invited the Council to purchase part of the estate for public open space. They declined and the estate was thus nearly lost to the public. However, Alderman Philip Fletcher and his wife purchased 4.5 acres for £1060 and gave them to the town. The gift was to mark their 25 years of marriage and the Coronation of George VI. It was also towards the end of his third and final period of service as the elected Mayor of Godalming. The May fair of 1937 took place at the cricket ground and provided an appropriate opportunity for celebration. Alderman Fletcher saved the cricket ground but an opportunity arose at about the same time to make sure it remained available for public use. A network of green spaces were established and protected across the UK in memory of the former monarch, King George V. There are 506 'King George V Playing Fields' around the country and the Broadwater cricket ground is one of them. It's not quite on our route today but, either side of the path near the children’s play area, you will see the two heraldic panels, one showing a lion and the other a unicorn. These mark this as an official King George V Playing Field. - Saved!
11. 10 : km 0.54 - alt. 41 m - Alderman Philip Fletcher - Mayor of Godalming 1936
12. 11 : km 0.55 - alt. 41 m - Continue in the same direction with the hedge to your left.
13. 12 : km 0.62 - alt. 40 m - The wooden pavilion belongs to Farncombe Wanderers Cricket Club. The club was formed by the Home Guard in 1945 as the second world war came to a close. There was clearly a thirst for cricket in Farncombe! - The Wanderers
14. 13 : km 0.68 - alt. 40 m - Continue forward between the cricket club pavilion and the hedge. Then turn right and pass in front of the leisure centre.
15. 14 : km 0.74 - alt. 40 m - On the corner at the end of the leisure centre, bear slightly to your left to follow the road that passes in front of Gardener's Cottage. The road is signed 'Residents access'. Pass Gardener's Cottage and pause where the road widens slightly to provide a 'Passing Bay'.
16. 15 : km 0.8 - alt. 38 m - The buildings around you are the estate workers houses, working buildings and stables of the Broadwater Estate. The wall on you left is of particular interest. It is an example of a crinkle crankle wall and it originally enclosed a walled garden. A crinkle crankle wall uses alternate convex and concave curves to provide stability in place of the usual brick pillars or buttresses. Its niches provide sheltered locations where tender plants can be grown. Crinkle crankle walls were originally used in Ancient Egypt as fortifications. The irregular shape may have forced oncoming troops to break ranks, exposing them to defensive action. - Crinkle Crankle
17. 16 : km 0.81 - alt. 38 m - Broadwater Estate in 1871
18. 17 : km 0.83 - alt. 38 m - Continue forward, crossing the road that comes up from the car park, to follow grass track that is reinforced with a plastic mesh.
19. 18 : km 0.94 - alt. 39 m - Keep left to broadly follow the boundary of the park until the path swings right in a wide curve.
20. 19 : km 1.08 - alt. 39 m - It would be intriguing, at this point, to take a tour around Broadwater House, the former home of the Marshall family. Sadly, all that remains today is the doorstep! Can you find it? If you recall, the Godalming builder, Mr. W. Hoptroff, bought the estate in 1936. Alderman Fletcher rescued the cricket ground and then World War II intervened to put a halt to other developments. Emerging from the war, people and their needs had changed. The council entered into negotiations for land to build a new school. It was to be called 'Meadrow Secondary School', an extension of the existing school on Meadrow. 21-acres were acquired and building work finally began in 1953 to provide space for 600 pupils. Broadwater house was still standing and in use in 1957 when the Women’s Voluntary Service sorted and baled 5,000 garments here to be dispatched to aid Hungarian refugees. Details of its final fate remain to be discovered but it is thought that it was becoming dilapidated and that the council could see no further use for it. It remained on Ordnance Survey maps until the early 1960s after which it was cleared and demolished. - Broadwater House
21. 20 : km 1.08 - alt. 38 m - Broadwater House around 1930
22. 21 : km 1.12 - alt. 38 m - Follow the curve of the path around to the right. (This path follows the route of the original driveway to the house. ) Stop just before the path drops down to join the surfaced path around the lake.
23. 22 : km 1.17 - alt. 37 m - The tree on your left, with a branch like an elephant's trunk, is the tallest in the park. It is much taller than any of the other trees. When you get to the far side of the lake, pause and look back. You will see just how prominent it is! It is a Giant redwood, a species that was first brought to Britain from California in 1853. It was initially given the name Wellingtonia gigantea in memory of the Duke of Wellington who had passed away the year before. Unfortunately, another species had already been named Wellingtonia, so a different botanical name had to be selected. This was Sequoiadendron giganteum. However, the name 'Wellingtonia' had started to be widely used and remains in popular use today. With an introduction data of 1853, giant redwoods in Britain are 170 years old, at most. My, how it has grown! There are many unusual trees, planted by the previous proud owners across the park. If you would like to know more, there is a separate walk in this series: No 8 - 'Tree Trail'. (The photo shows just how big the Wellingtonia can grow. This picture is of the author's grandmother, mother and uncles taken in front of a Wellingtonia in Canada around 1930.) - Wellingtonia
24. 23 : km 1.18 - alt. 37 m - Giant Redwood in Canada - 1930
25. 24 : km 1.19 - alt. 36 m - Continue to the lakeside path and turn left to skirt the lake towards the main road.
26. 25 : km 1.34 - alt. 36 m - As you approach the main road, you will find a cafe van to your left selling drinks and sweet snacks. The route itself continues around the lake, crossing the footbridge over the outflow of the lake. There are seats here where you can enjoy your drink and admire the view of the lake. Look out for the Wellingtonia tree! This is also a good place to read the next history item.
27. 26 : km 1.39 - alt. 35 m - You may be regretting the noise of traffic in the background but the road nearby is an important, historical route. It is the London to Portsmouth Road. It is easy to overlook roads when delving into our history but they are frequently the most enduring features of our landscape. Transport has played a significant role in shaping the fortunes of Farncombe and its residents and this road was probably its earliest link with the world beyond the parish. We have already seen the most recent transport addition, the railway, and we will investigate one further mode of transport before the walk is finished. The Romans are credited with building some of our oldest roads but they were not involved here. They had an important port in the south at Portchester but it was was linked to London via Chichester and the Roman road, Stane Street. Farncombe was probably not on the itinerary for many Romans although Roman remains have been discovered just north of Farncombe at Binscombe. In fact, Portsmouth probably remained pretty much what it says on the tin, ‘the water at the mouth of the port’, until Richard 1st granted Portsmouth its foundation charter in 1194. From then until the time of Henry VIII, people probably had to make do with existing tracks to get to London or, more likely, make the journey by sea which was probably quicker… and safer! When Henry selected Portsmouth as his naval port in 1494, he had the town's fortifications strengthened and the dockyard enlarged. The rag bag of local roads linking the port to London would have proved unsatisfactory and so he almost certainly initiated improvements along the route. Nevertheless, it was not until the 1700s and the arrival of the stagecoach that serious improvements became essential. The cost of maintaining roads had fallen largely on the shoulders of the local villages through which the roads passed. This resulted in uncertain standards which limited speed and comfort. Turnpikes were introduced from 1710 where tolls were collected to pay for improvements and repairs. There were several turnpikes nearby on this road. The improved roads together with competition between companies saw the journey time from London to Portsmouth gradually reduce from two days in the 1660s to 10 hours by 1819. By then 7 coaches were leaving London every weekday and a further 3 during the night. Another innovation was the introduction of, milestones. They were the first road signs. Before then, finding your way could be pretty much hit and miss. You needed to know where you were going. These stone markers became compulsory in 1767. They helped stagecoaches keep to schedule by showing the distance to towns and villages along the route. A few survive today. The nearest one is on Meadrow opposite Godalming Junior School just a few yards up towards Guildford. All of the passing trade brought considerable prosperity to the local area... and so it continued until 1934 when The Guildford and Godalming Bypass opened. When you hear the traffic noise today, it's tempting to wonder where it is all coming from and going to! - London to Portsmouth (Seat)
28. 27 : km 1.4 - alt. 35 m - Milestone opposite Meadrow School
29. 28 : km 1.4 - alt. 35 m - Turn left, away from the lake, to cross the main road. Once across the road, turn left and then almost immediately right to follow the footpath beside a small stream.
30. 29 : km 1.57 - alt. 34 m - When you reach the river, turn right and follow the tow-path for about a quarter of a mile to the first bridge that crosses the river.
31. 30 : km 1.94 - alt. 35 m - At the bridge, continue forward to follow the tow-path for another quarter of a mile to the boathouse.
32. 31 : km 2.42 - alt. 35 m - Cross the road and go through the gate on the other side. Stop by the lock. There is a seat if you wish to rest.
33. 32 : km 2.47 - alt. 35 m - Here is our third mode of transportation. In fact, we have been walking beside it for the last half-a-mile. The river Wey navigation opened to Guildford in 1653. One of the principal commodities that it carried was timber and the trade made men like George Marshall of Broadwater rich. The timing of its opening was fortuitous because, following the Great Fire of London in 1666, the demands of reconstruction added to the voracious appetite for timber of the shipbuilding yards along the Thames. Can you picture the trees being felled on the wooded slopes around Farncombe, Catteshall and beyond and the timber being carted along the main road to the wharves at Guildford? However, the capacity of a wagon drawn by horses was about 2 tons, but boats could carry loads of 30 tons and more. Thus, a hundred years after the opening of the navigation to Guildford, the route was extended to Godalming. It opened in 1764 with this lock, Catteshall, as the topmost lock. It is 19 miles and 15 locks to the Thames. Upstream from the lock, it is just half-a-mile to Godalming Wharf and the end of the navigation. The waterway is called a ‘navigation’ rather than a ‘canal’ because it is only part man made channel. The rest is improved sections of the original river. In front of you is what is called a 'pound lock' which is used to lift boats from one river level to another. If a boat is approaching, stop and watch it pass through to see how the lock works. Apart from timber, other loads included corn (which was ferried one way as grain and back as flour), coal, stone, and gunpowder! However, the opening of the railway spelt the beginning of the end for the commercial use of the navigation. Trade steadily dwindled and, in the 1960s, ownership was passed to the National Trust who now operate it for its heritage and recreational qualities. - Godalming Navigation (Seat)
34. 33 : km 2.49 - alt. 35 m - Retrace your steps through the gate and turn right along the road to go over the footbridge. Continue forward to Blackburn Way where there is space to stand back from the road and look at the next point of history.
35. 34 : km 2.66 - alt. 36 m - Industrial buildings don't posses the same charm as a lock on the navigation and are easy to pass by without a second thought. However, here we have another historical feature that has endured the test of time. Its history goes way back before the navigation was even thought about. Three mills are recorded for Godalming in the Domesday Survey of 1086. Although they are not specifically named, anyone looking for a location to build a mill would find this an ideal site. Of the potential locations, Catteshall is furthest downstream and therefore has the greatest flow of water. This was channelled by means of a millstream to create a head of about 2m. The grinding of corn was undoubtedly the initial occupation of the mill. The malting of grain, the process of partly germinated it to turn starch into sugar, was also carried out here. Sir William More of Loseley purchased Catteshall Manor in 1565 and with it, both the corn-mill and a fulling-mill. Fulling is a step in the production of woollen cloth in which the cloth is pounded in water together with a clay material to absorb greasy impurities and bulk up the cloth. Arthur Onslow, whose father bought West Clandon in 1641, took a 2,000-year lease on 'a watermill and mill-house containing in it a Corne-mill and a malt-mill and also a fulling-mill and mill-house…' but it was around the time that the woollen industry in the area was going into decline in the face of northern competition. However, paper making requires a similar process to fulling and so it came about that Catteshall Mill started to produce paper. This industry lasted through to the early part of the 20th century with the fortunes of its various proprietors rising and falling with changes in the paper making technology and market forces. Some owned the freehold of the mill outright, others leased, and some fell into bankruptcy. Two, later owners, Joseph Chandler and John Sweetapple were Quakers and refused to pay rates to the established church which they did not agree with and which ostracised them. Accordingly, some of their property and that of their families was confiscated and these penalties were noted in the Quaker records, the 'Society of Friends – Sufferings'. • In 1793 John Sweetapple had to give 7 quarters of barley worth £11 14s • In 1797 William and Thomas Chandler were fined 3 1/2 sacks of flour worth £7 • In 1802 a pepper-castor, 2 pairs of candlesticks and 3 silver spoons were taken from Thomas Chandler • Three years later, Mary Sweetapple had to provide flour, wheat, corn, and hay worth in all over £100. During the 1800s, Herbert Spicer and his family owned the mill. He built the ornate brick mill building facing you on the other side of the road. Prior to partial demolition in the 1970s, it extended far to the right covering the mill race which you can view a few paces further up the road. Under the Spicers, the paper business grew and at one time employed over 400 workers. However, on 28 December 1883 there was a serious accident when one of the pressure boilers, used to process the paper pulp, exploded killing 5 workers and injuring 4 more. Over a thousand people congregated at the cemetery for the burial of the foreman Samuel Sheppard. In the 1900s, Albert E Reed and later his son Ralph owned the paper making business which flourished to such an extent that he eventually sold Catteshall Mill to consolidate his business elsewhere. It was a dark day for the many Farncombe mill workers who found themselves out of a job. Reed sold the mill to J.J.Balckburn & Co., an engineering company that occupied it until the 1970's. - Catteshall Mill
36. 35 : km 2.68 - alt. 36 m - Catteshall Mill around 1977 (before partial demolition)
37. 36 : km 2.7 - alt. 36 m - Take a look at the mill race and then retrace your steps towards the navigation, crossing to the other side of the road when safe and convenient.
38. 37 : km 3 - alt. 35 m - Cross over the navigation and continue along the pavement to the smaller bridge just before the first cottages. Cross the road before the bridge and go through the gate into the field.
39. 38 : km 3.03 - alt. 35 m - The Lammas Lands are the remains of a mediaeval field system which was farmed communally for part of the year and then worked by individuals who had acquired rights for the remainder. The switch-over date was 1st August, the church feast of 'Lammas' or 'loaf mass', which celebrated the bringing in of the corn harvest. Livestock was kept off the area from February to Lammas while the crops were growing. The meadows were divided into areas, with ‘dole stones’ marking the divisions. (From Old English “dal” meaning divide or share.) Villagers holding rights pastured their animals in their area for the rest of the year. Many people think of the Lammas Lands as the land opposite Godalming Parish Church. In fact, they are much more extensive and comprise at least 4 separate meadows: • The area opposite the church is Overgone Meadow. Some maps show this further sub-divided into named meadows. • Catteshall Meadow is the one you are in. It runs from the Town Bridge to Catteshall Road. • Almshouse Meadow runs from Catteshall Road to the bridge carrying the path down from Unstead to Farncombe • Salgasson Meadow is alongside Peperharow Road. - Lammas Lands
40. 39 : km 3.16 - alt. 36 m - Return through the gate, cross the road and turn left to the main road. Turn right along Meadrow. Stop at the gate of the Unitarian Chapel on your right.
41. 40 : km 3.24 - alt. 36 m - The Godalming and Farncombe area was something of a hotbed of dissent on religious matters. 'Dissenters' were people who had become dissatisfied with the established, Anglican, Church of England. Sometimes this was on points of theology. Dissenters also considered that the faith found in many Anglican Churches had become merely skin-deep with ministers accepting positions for prestige or financial reasons rather than because they believed they had a calling to serve their parishioners. Industrial towns were often places where dissenting groups established themselves and, although it may not look like it now, this area was once predominantly industrial. These Protestant Christians, who separated themselves from the Church of England, formed themselves into various groups, each with its own distinguishing label. Some labels picked out the group's defining point of theology. Sometimes it was a term of ridicule used by their opponents. We have already come across the Quakers in our walk and we will discover more about them in Farncombe History Walk 2. In that walk we also meet Wesleyans, Brethren and Baptists, all of whom flourished here. This little chapel was initially a Baptist Chapel. Some people of a Baptist persuasion had been meeting regularly in a cottage between Godalming and Eashing. The cottage was owned by Mr William Evershed and it is recorded that '[on] Wed June 4th 1783, at a church meeting held at Bro. Wm. Evershed's at Eashing, Godalming, it was agreed that a more convenient Place of Public Worship may conduce much to the ease and prosperity of this chapel. Agreed that a meeting house be Erected at Meadrow, Godalming for that purpose.' The congregation first met in their new chapel in 1789. Over time, their doctrines changed to encompass Unitarian ideas and the chapel is still in use by them today. It is not open to public viewing but holds occasional open days when you can see the original baptistry, a pool inside the church for baptising adults. - Unitarian Chapel
42. 41 : km 3.28 - alt. 36 m - Continue along Meadrow to Wyatt's Close on the right.
43. 42 : km 3.37 - alt. 36 m - Richard Wyatt was born in 1554 and became a Master Carpenter of the Carpenters' Company of London. He owned the estate of Hall Place which covered much of Shackleford. Aldro School now occupies the site where the main house once stood. On his death, in 1619, his will made provision for establishing an 'Oyspitall' on some portion of the 'Prismarsh' to provide lodging for 'tenne poore menn' of deserving character selected from neighbouring settlements. He stipulated that “None of these tenne doe to be placed shal be eyther drunkard, swearer or blasphemer of God …And my Will is that they shall everye Saboth daye if it be fayer weather goe all together orderlie to Godallmine Church to heare prayers there.” Wyatt also assigned the income from the lease of properties to generate an annual income of £70 to be apportioned between the occupants. When you consider that other properties of a similar date were often built mainly of timber, this appears to be an exceptionally well-built structure! It comprised ten, two storey almshouses with a central chapel. In recent years, it has been divided into individual units and sold into private ownership. - Wyatt's Close
44. 43 : km 3.41 - alt. 36 m - Cross over at the central reservation, and turn almost immediately left into the park. Walk forward, keeping the fence to your left, until you reach more open ground.
45. 44 : km 3.55 - alt. 38 m - Bear slightly right across the open area to the right hand corner of the conifer plantation ahead.
46. 45 : km 3.67 - alt. 40 m - We are back on the land of the Broadwater Estate. According to the enclosure map of 1808, Broadwater Lake was once significantly larger than it is today. We would be standing somewhere near the north-east corner. Could it be that the map is wrong or did George Marshall have part of it drained? By 1871, the Ordnance Survey map shows the lake more or less its current size but locals remember this area as being 'very boggy'. For a while it served as a municipal tip and then, when it was full of rubbish, a golf-course. It ceased to be used for golf in around 2018 and you now see the results of an unassisted ‘rewilding’. Enjoy! It will look different again next year whatever happens to it. - Wilding
47. 46 : km 3.75 - alt. 40 m - Continue along the path at the edge of the conifer plantation. At the car park, turn left and exit the park along the concrete access road.
48. 47 : km 3.83 - alt. 41 m - Turn left along Nursery Road (unsigned.)
49. 48 : km 3.88 - alt. 41 m - At Pondfield Road, bear right.
50. 49 : km 3.97 - alt. 41 m - When you reach The Oval, cross the road onto the green and stop under the trees.
51. 50 : km 3.99 - alt. 41 m - Following World War I, there was a serious shortage of housing. During the hostilities, labour and materials had been directed away from house building, yet soldiers returning from the front were seeking to marry and set up families. Godalming’s Council anticipated the need and tasked its Sanitary Committee to investigate. It reported to Council on the 9th of October 1917. The report headed ‘Housing of the Working Classes’ concluded that …”30 additional houses should be built, provided that suitable financial assistance will be afforded by the Government.” By May 1919, a Special Housing Committee had been formed to oversee the planning and construction. Its minutes chart some familiar ups and downs with the estimated number of houses rising from 30 to 58. There were battles with central government over the size and terms of their grant, and various parties lined up to influence the design of the houses. After debating whether to build on a number of small sites across the town or focus on a single development, Mr. George Marshall, grandson of the George Marshall who built Broadwater House, offered this site at an agreed price of £1,720 10s with …'all Timber and Timber-like trees to be taken to and paid for at a Valuation.' It was reported that the site '… is within 150 yards of Meadrow, adjoins St John’s Church and is about 300 yards from Farncombe Station. The general level of the ground is 15 to 20 feet above the Main Road, sub-soil is gravel, and the field has a South-Easterly aspect, and is sheltered to some extent from the North. It can be easily drained into the existing sewer in Meadrow or Church Path and conveniently developed by extending Lower Manor Road and widening the existing right of way in the Summers Road.' As always, the budget was tight and became tighter as things proceeded to construction. Determined not to compromise on the quality of the houses, the council cut corners (literally) on the road infrastructure, which is why, to this day, many of the houses on the estate are served only by footpaths. - Social Housing - 1920
52. 51 : km 4.11 - alt. 42 m - Continue to the far end of the green, cross the road and continue forward to turn right into Church Path.
53. 52 : km 4.18 - alt. 42 m - Continue forward and under and archway to St John's Church. If the Church is open and you have time, you may wish to visit now. It is a peaceful place to rest and has some history of its own to tell. Alternatively, the Church can be your first stop on Farncombe History Walk 2.
54. 53 : km 4.25 - alt. 42 m - If you had been living in Farncombe during the 1850s, you would probably have found the changes that were taking place around the village completely bewildering. Mr George Marshall had arrived at his new estate in 1844. At about the same time, the London and South Western Railway Company began slicing through the village to construct its new railway line . Meanwhile, the foundation stone for a new church had been laid in 1846. The railway and church both opened in the same year, 1849. Farncombe Manor, which was recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086, was sliced in two by the railway. It was sold at auction in 1852 and its buildings were promptly demolished. Speculators bought up the manor and acres of other land. New roads were popping up everywhere and plots were marked out for sale. The story of Farncombe Church, St John the Evangelist, begins in Godalming. In 1845, Rev. E.J. Boyce, curate and later rector of Godalming, printed an appeal to his parish in which he asked for support for the building of a new church at Farncombe. He said “all of you who know the real state of many parts of the parish of Godalming know that it is of extreme importance that a new church should be erected for that district of it, which includes the hamlets of Farncombe, Binscombe, Meadrow, and Catteshall”. Referring to an earlier plan of 1838, he added that despite increased accommodation being provided in the Parish Church “the main evils which it has ever been hoped a new church would counteract, remain in their original strength and darkness”. Whether his concerns were for the spiritual health of the people of Farncombe or the scrum for seats in Godalming we may never know. In the abandoned scheme of 1838, the church was to be sited on land in Hare Lane belonging to Mr G. Marshall. For the new scheme, the current site was chosen on land owned by James More-Molyneux. The land had “lapsed to him as Lord of the Manor because it had previously been owned by a man convicted of murder.” It appears More-Molyneux donated the land plus a gift of £50 and, in return, was promised “6 good sittings together for his family – in addition 5 sittings for his Binscombe Farm.” The plan was to build a new church in “Early English Style of Gothic Architecture… the size to admit 265 sittings, the greater part of which to be free”. The phrase 'the greater part' was clearly interpreted as 'over half' for in 1863, 111 pews were raising £32 13s annually. There is much to see in the church and a pleasant 'Quiet Garden' is maintained around it where you can sit and read more if you wish. A booklet, 'The Story of Farncombe Church 1849-1999', was published to mark its anniversary of 150 years. It contains many interesting details of the building and its people. In 2022, Alan Bott, OBE, MA, FSA, published a beautifully illustrated book about 5 churches in the area around Godalming. This includes Farncombe and is an excellent book to read, especially if you wish to know more about the stained glass in the church. We cannot leave the church, however, without mention of just one item of special interest. It is the memorial to John George Phillips or 'Jack' as he was generally known. You will find it on the north wall (on the left as you look up the church.) He was the Chief Wireless Operator of the liner Titanic when, during her maiden voyage, she suffered her fateful encounter with an iceberg on 14 Apr 1912 and sank with Jack at his post transmitting messages. Although Godalming celebrates Jack with a pub, a park and a cloister, he was a local lad. Born in Farncombe in 1887, he lived near the level crossing just round the corner from the Church. His father managed Gammons, the draper's, and the family lived above the shop. Jack sang as a choirboy at St John’s. Much has been written about Jack and the Titanic and you can find out more on the Godalming Museum website. - St John's Church (Seat)
55. 54 : km 4.27 - alt. 43 m - Leave the church via the porch and turn right to reach St John's Street. (There are cafes and shops here if you are looking for some refreshment before your journey home.) To return to the station, turn right along St John's Street and then right again into Summers Road. The station entrance is just across the road.
56. S/E : km 4.39 - alt. 43 m

Useful Information

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.