Villages around Guildford

Wanborough

Wanborough is located just off the A31 between Farnham and Guildford (Hog's Back), 4 miles west of Guildford.

Step back in time and enjoy a visit to one of the most important medieval barns in south east England, now opened regularly to the public. The Great Barn at Wanborough is one of the finest examples of ancient timber building and was built in 1388 for the Cistercian monks of Waverley Abbey, five miles away. It was part of a 'grange' - a farm supplying the abbey's needs.
The Great Barn holds a permanent display of local and historic interest as well as special events and exhibitions throughout the summer.

The local church dates from c1100 and is the smallest in Surrey. It is a short distance from the Great Barn and is well worth a visit.

Compton

Compton is one of Surrey's prettiest villages, with a wide variety of period listed buildings and a wealth of history.

The village is home to Watts Gallery, which celebrates the life and work of the Victorian painter and sculptor George Frederic Watts along with Watts chapel, located in the village’s cemetery. Watts’s second wife, Mary, also an artist, designed the chapel and it is an extraordinary circular building covered in Celtic and art nouveau decoration.

Further along the main road, is Loseley Park, a beautiful Elizabethan mansion set amidst lovely parkland scenery. It has been home to the More-Molyneux family for over 400 years.

Compton is also home to two good restaurants for those who wish to make the most of their visit. Choose between The Withies, a 16th Century building and now a fabulous, quaint and rather famous old eating haunt and The Harrow, which is managed by Michelin trained chef, Paul Layton.

Chilworth

Chilworth is nestled below the North Downs and overlooked by St Martha’s Hill where you will find St Martha’s Church. St Martha’s is on the Pilgrims’ Way, the historic religious trail, which runs from Winchester to Canterbury and passes through Guildford.

Chilworth has an interesting history, being home to the Gunpowder Works, one of the largest, most prestigious and longest-lived powder mills in the country. Established by the East India Company in 1625, it was worked by a string of private companies and became one of the most significant suppliers of gunpowder to the Government. The buildings and area are now looked after by Guildford Borough Council and English Nature.

Shere

Shere is located in rural Guildford and has a rather ‘oldy worldy’ feel to it with narrow streets, historic buildings and quaint shops. The river Tillingbourne flows through it, adding to its charm and it is an ideal location to show quintessential England. The reason, perhaps, that it was chosen as a location for the Hollywood films – Bridget Jones `Edge of Reason’ and `The Holiday’ starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett.

Peaslake

Peaslake resembles a Swiss village in character due to the situation of several homes perched on steep slopes around the centre, some of a 'chalet' style. Residences of all types sit well together in this village and all are immensely sought after, many more are hidden from the immediate view of visitors.