Godalming: Half-timbered Buildings, Museum and Waterways

Godalming combines historic buildings with museum exhibits and waterways. For your stay, you can focus on different things: architecture and local history, the galleries of the Godalming Museum, or walks along the waterways. Travelling by train may also play a role in choosing your destination.

Half-timbered buildings and historic landmarks

Godalming is home to more than 200 listed buildings. Church Street is lined with half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th century. The Pepperpot was built in 1814 to replace the old market hall. These examples offer different points of interest: Church Street represents a row of historic houses, while the Pepperpot is a single building connected with the former market hall. If you are interested in architectural history, you can include both a street and a specific, dated building in your exploration.

Galleries at the Godalming Museum

The galleries at the Godalming Museum explore Godalming’s history from the Stone Age to the present day. The Arts & Crafts Gallery is dedicated to the work of Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. A separate Jack Phillips Gallery explores the story of the young telegraph operator aboard the RMS Titanic and his role in saving hundreds of people. The museum therefore focuses both on the town’s long history and on distinctive subjects from the worlds of design and maritime history. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the broad historical span or one of the more specialised gallery topics.

Church, remembrance and park

Godalming Minster St Peter & St Paul’s has stood at the heart of Godalming for more than a thousand years. The Memorial Cloister is located in Phillips Memorial Park and was built in 1913 through public donations to commemorate a selfless act. Phillips Memorial Park covers 4.5 hectares and has received the Green Flag Award. The church, memorial and park offer different points of interest for a stay: religious history, a specific memorial site and an award-winning green space.

The River Wey and historic waterways

The River Wey runs along the edge of Godalming and can be accessed from several places. Visitors can walk along the towpath of the River Wey Navigations and explore different stretches of the waterways. The Godalming Navigation opened in 1764, allowing cargo barges to travel a further four miles upstream. This historic role differs from the present-day opportunity to explore the towpath on foot: one refers to transport at the time, the other to walks along the waterways. Godalming can therefore be explored not only through its houses and galleries, but also through the history and use of its waterways.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

Godalming railway station is on the Portsmouth line. The town centre is a short walk from the station. For those travelling by train, this walking route provides a practical point of reference. When looking for a hotel in Godalming, you can consider getting there and your plans for local history, the museum or walks as separate aspects of choosing your destination.

Discover more destinations: Chertsey, Chilworth, Egham, Thorpe, Ottershaw, Guildford, Effingham, Bramley.

Return to the regional travel overview: Surrey.