Godalming
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Godalming has existed since Saxon times. It was a wool manufacturing and trading center in medieval times, later followed by a substantial pioneering phase in tanning, leatherworking and related industries. There are still light industries in the town, which also houses the UK headquarters of the World Wide Fund for Nature, formerly the World Wildlife Fund.
Get in
By train
Godalming station is served by South Western Railway on the London Waterloo to Portsmouth Line. There is a relatively frequent service throughout the day. Journey time is around 45 minutes to Waterloo on the stopping service. Godalming is two stations from Guildford, where you can get an express to Waterloo in around 30 minutes.- From Guildford - 2 stations away - you can get a direct train to Gatwick Airport in about 50 min.
- From Woking - 4 stations away - you can get a bus to Heathrow Airport (50 min), and a direct train to Southampton Airport Parkway station (50 min).
Get around
The town centre is about five minutes walk from the railway station. Although the town is not large, many of the suburbs are on surrounding hills.
There is a limited bus service around the town, with the large majority of services run by Stagecoach. Service 46 serves Charterbouse, Hurtmore, Farncombe and Binscombe. 70, 71 and 92 serve Meadrow, with 92 running to Eashing Lane, and 70 and 71 continuing through to Milford. Compass run service 42, which serves Catteshall, Farncombe, Binscombe, Busbridge and Winkworth.
There is a taxi rank at the railway station.
See
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address: 109a Godalming High StreetLocal museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions.
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phone: +44 1483 208477address: Hascombe Road, Godalming, GU8 4ADNational Trust property with substantial collections of trees and shrubs, and attractive flowers in spring, set around lakes.
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phone: +44 1483 208936address: Hambledon, GU8 4HF
Do
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address: Catteshall RoadHours vary by season, boat hire not available during winter. Rowing boats available for hire on the River Wey, narrow boats also available by the day. Also has a cafe.
- Godalming Navigation, pleasant walk along tow path extends from town centre up to Guildford and beyond. Parallels 70, 71 and 92 bus routes, allowing easy return journey. Path starts by parish church, runs through parkland, then fields and countryside.
Learn
- Charterhouse, famed private boarding school. Pupils have included:
Robert Baden-Powell (founder of the scout movement), William Beveridge (economist and social reformer), Anthony Caro (sculptor), David Dimbleby (TV presenter)' Peter Gabriel (rock musician, Genesis), Robert Graves (poet), Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (Prime Minister), William Makepeace Thackeray (novelist),
Ralph Vaughan Williams (composer), John Wesley (founder of the Methodist church)
Eat
There are various small restaurants in and around the High Street.
Drink
There is a wide range of pubs in and around the High Street.
Sleep
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phone: +44 1483 416961address: Roke Ln, GU8 5PYSituated in a quiet lane, surrounded by beautiful countryside. 2 doubles, 1 twin. Rated 5 stars.2