Coordinates: 51°08′59″N 0°38′48″W / 51.1497°N 0.6468°W
| Witley | |
  Witley
 Witley shown within Surrey |
|
| Population | 4,088 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Waverley |
| Shire county | Surrey |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Godalming |
| Postcode district | GU8 |
| Dialling code | 01428 |
| Police | Surrey |
| Fire | Surrey |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | South West Surrey |
| List of places: UK • England • Surrey | |
Witley, in Surrey, England is a village 2 miles (3 km) south west of Godalming. The village lies just east of the A3 that runs from Guildford to Petersfield. Witley together with the neighbouring area of Hambledon have a population of about 4,000. Neighbouring villages include Milford, Chiddingfold and Grayswood.
Witley appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Witlei. Its domesday assets were held by Gislebert (Gilbert), son of Richere de L'Aigle. It rendered: 12 hides; 1 church, 15 ploughs, 3 acres (12,000 m2) of meadow, woodland worth 30 hogs. It rendered £16.[2]
Witley has a parish council consisting of 16 unpaid councillors from Witley and neighbouring Milford.[3] Amongst their tasks is the management of Witley Recreation Ground and 43 allotments.
Witley Common, which belongs to the National Trust, lies to the west of the village.[4]
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Historic buildings
- All Saints Church [1], with its surviving Saxon stonework, demonstrates that the village has existed since at least Saxon times. The church building was transformed by the Normans and enlarged into a cruciform shape towards the end of the 12th century, when its tower was also erected. The church contains an inscribed stone, set in the chancel wall, bearing the name of the Duke of Clarence (see below), this is believed to be part of an unfinished memorial to one of his bailiffs.
- Witley Park, the home of Whitaker Wright, was built in the 1890s at a cost of £1.85 million. It was one of the most lavish private residences in the world. The grounds included a series of three interconnecting lakes and an underwater 'billiards' room. The main building burnt to the ground in 1953. Today the grounds and remaining buildings serve as a conference centre.
- Old Cottage and Step Cottage, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, are close to the church.
- White Hart, the village pub, is mostly Elizabethan and is said to stand on the site of a Saxon inn.
- Witley Infants School, opposite the church, is a fine example of a 19th century school constructed in 1836, one year before Queen Victoria was crowned.
- King Edward's School is a private school located near the village
Transport
- The village is served by Witley railway station, although those living in the northern part of the village are closer to Milford station. Both stations are located on the Portsmouth Direct Line railway.
- The Hoppa community bus serves Witley with its "Shoppa Hoppa" and "Hospital Hoppa".
Scouts
Witley has Scouting groups for all ages: Beaver, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts. It also has Girl Guides , Rainbows and Brownies. Visit the website at 1st Witley Scouts for more details.
Notable people
- Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence (1338 - 1368), brother of Edward IV, was lord of the manor of Witley. Other occupants of the manor included Godwin, Earl of Wessex, father of King Harold; Peter of Savoy; and Edward I's wife, Queen Margaret, who supplied oaks from the village to make shingles for the roof of the king's hall at Westminster.
- David Lloyd George (1863 - 1945), British Prime Minister, had a house called Timbers, which he would visit whenever he needed to escape from the stress of high office.
- Terry Scott (1927 - 1994), comedian, known notably for the BBC domestic sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield, lived in the village.
- Myles Birket Foster (1825 - 1899), artist, is buried in the churchyard.
- Whitaker Wright (1846 - 1904), mining entrepreneur, was found guilty of fraud at the Royal Courts of Justice and committed suicide shortly afterwards. He is buried in the churchyard beneath an imposing marble slab.
- George Eliot (1819 - 1880), English novelist, spent her final years in the village.
References
External links
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