Discover Godstone

Several local features can help guide your stay in Godstone: the village green with its pond and recurring events, the Norman architectural remains of St Nicholas, and paths through the countryside. When looking for a hotel in Godstone, you can first decide whether local history, a particular August bank holiday weekend or a route should be the focus. This lets you tailor your plans to specific interests.

Godstone Green and Local History

Godstone Green is a common in the centre of the village. The pond on the green was once used as a horse pond; today, it has a brick surround and a central island. Its former use and present-day appearance can thus be seen in one place. A Village Fete and a Donkey Derby are held on Godstone Green every August bank holiday weekend; exact dates in future years may vary. If you are planning to attend one of these weekends, check the specific event date before travelling and booking your hotel around it.

St Nicholas in Godstone retains fragments of its original Norman structure. This provides a distinct point of reference in the history of the church alongside the former horse pond. If you are interested in the village’s architectural history, the surviving fragments add a different historical aspect to the picture of Godstone than the pond’s former use.

Pastures and Paths

Hilly Fields is a pasture in the village of Godstone, north of Godstone Green. The pond at Hilly Fields is a habitat for a protected species of great crested newt. A footpath crosses Hilly Fields towards North Park Farm and continues from there to the chalk escarpment and the North Downs Way. The described route therefore links pasture and pond habitat with other named landmarks. If you are more interested in the countryside and routes, this offers a different focus from the central village green and its tradition of events.

Tilburstow Common covers 22 hectares and consists mostly of mixed woodland. The area is on the Lower Greensand Ridge, and a public bridleway crosses it. Another route option is the Castle Hill–Oxted section of the Greensand Way: it follows a bridleway through woodland and also a path below Tilburstow Hill. The information about the common describes an area and the path crossing it, while the Greensand Way section describes a specific route.

Bay Pond is a private nature reserve managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust. Its features include a wildflower meadow, woodland and a pond for pond-dipping. Godstone Farm has an adventure playground. Alongside churches, green spaces and paths, these local features also offer nature and leisure attractions.

Circular Walk and Getting There

The Godstone Paths, Ponds and Churches circular walk begins and ends at the community car park beside the pond on Godstone Green. This start and end point anchors the walk to a specific location. Bus routes 400 and 410 serve Godstone Green. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable before setting off. This allows you to include both the named starting point of the walk and the bus service in your day’s plans.

Discover more destinations: Capel, Bookham, Godalming, Hindhead, Lingfield, Frensham, Windlesham, Ockley.

For the broader travel overview: Surrey.