 We
suggest you park in Mint Street (Station Road Car Park) allowing
11/2 hours.
Looking across the car park to the corner of Mint Street is the
Georgian property - Brook House (Percy Woods was born here in 1842
- Godalming Historian).
Cross Station Road and go behind the railings to enter the cul-de-sac
part of Mint Street. Minton Cottage on the corner was originally
a Hall House. After that the three storey (pink) house was a knitting
factory and “Whitehall” on the corner was built about
AD 1500.
Turn right into Mill Lane, walking to the bridge observe the interesting
old cottages on the  right.
On the left is Hatch Mill used until about 40 years ago for grinding
and storing grain. Power came from the River Ock via the millrace
on the right. Retrace your steps and just before The Rose &
Crown Inn - c1515, turn right into The Mint, the Quaker Meeting
House (18th Century), attractive cottages (about 19th Century) and
at the far end the terrace of timber framed cottages (16th/17th
Century). At one period there was a lot of industry in the town
and it is stated that in the collection of the King of Denmark are
two Pennies of Ethelred II which were coined in Godalming, perhaps
this is where “The Mint” gets its name.
Cross over Station Road to The Red Lion, the Public Bar was the
original Grammar School.
 Left
into the High Street is the Pepperpot (the symbol of Godalming)
once the market house or Town Hall, it dates from 1814 and replaced
a former timber structure. Opposite is the Godalming Museum - well
worth a visit. Walk down the High Street - (Nos 99-103) on the right
is the former Old White Hart Inn (16th Century) timber framed, where
it is reputed that Dick Turpin stayed for a night. Continue down
the High Street - looking on both sides of the street you will see
many interesting features up to roof level. The Angel coaching inn
faced directly onto the High Street, the area now named Angel Court
(on the left). Properties on the right hand side of Moss Lane date
back to the 18th Century. The Bank at No 77 High Street (on the
right) is timber framed (16th/17th Century). No 71 has a timber
upper storey and was a wool merchant’s house. Across the road
at Nos 80 and 74-76 take note of the brickwork upper storeys of
17th Century Flemish influence. 58-64 was the site of the 18th Century
Great George Inn. Opposite, between 53 and 57 is Harts Yard, well
worth a peep.
Cross Pound Lane, with the Bank on the corner - all of these shops
were built by the Skinners Company as ten private houses, and further
down the High Street the big double painted doors opposite Crown
Court have the Skinners Arms Crest and date.
Opposite is Crown Court with the remaining Weavers Cottages on the
left. Walk through to the Crown Court car park looking at the view
ahead and also the properties to the left in Great George Street.
Back into the High Street still looking at the properties on both
sides up to roof level, you reach The Kings Arms Royal Hotel (1753)
where many Royal visitors stayed en route from London to Portsmouth,
Godalming being about half way. Opposite is Queen Street built to
celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee (formerly known as Jubilee
Street).
Further on and set back is The Square (15th/17th Century) currently
a doctors’. Continue and bear left into Bridge Street, on
the left - No 46 built as the Liberal Party headquarters in 1878
- has interesting architecture. Past Wiggins Yard the buildings
on the left (16th Century) were restored in 1987. Further down is
the Town Council Office with the crest above the door. Pass the
Borough Hall with the Waverley Borough Council Offices behind and
cross The Burys road to pass the Bel & The Dragon, formerly
the old Congregational Church (1868) on your left. The houses opposite
(now offices) Nos 19 and 20 are 18th Century.
Before the river bridge (1782) turn left and walk along the river
with the Lammas Lands on the far side, pass the Bowling Green to
the Phillips Memorial Cloister (see the plaque).
From here retrace your steps along the footpath passing the War
Memorial on your right. Follow on round to the right through the
Church Yard to the Parish Church, originating from about AD 900
with improvements every century since.
Leave the Church (main doors behind you) and turn left into Church
Street (with Deanery Place cottages on your right) with many old
and interesting buildings; Church House on the left (16th Century)
opposite is The Priory (18th Century), Deanery House (on the left
and once a hotel) 19th Century.
Further on are timber framed 16th Century buildings. The Cornmeter
on the corner of Mint Street was once an inn as was No 2. This was
the Skinners Arms Inn. Nos 1 and 3 opposite are very attractive
16th Century buildings called Pleystowe House. Bear to the right
and retrace your steps to the car park.
We hope you found the walk interesting and it has whetted your appetite
for another visit to our interesting town of Godalming.
Participants on this walk are advised to exercise caution when crossing
the roads mentioned as Godalming Town Council cannot be held responsible
for any injury sustained howsoever caused.
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