Attractions In and Around Godalming

Beautiful countryside, specialty shops in lovely old buildings, the museum celebrating the history and people of the town including Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens and The Watts Gallery

The town of Godalming and the immediate surrounding area of South West Surrey offers a wonderful selection of attractions to visitors, ranging from high street shopping and business, to dining and recreational pursuits. A wealth of architectural styles graces the town. The iconic “Pepperpot” stands where Church Street joins the High Street, the old Godalming Post Office is nearby and old timber framed buildings give the town a timeless charm. Swan on the River Step away from the High Street and you’re quickly upon the church of St. Peter and St. Paul with its distinctive steeple and the Memorial Gardens dedicated to Jack Phillips the telegraph operator on the Titanic. Next to the Church you'll find the town allotments and then you will be in the peaceful riverside gardens with the timeless Bandstand, childrens' play area, the Bowls Club and relaxing views out over the “Lammas Lands”. Back on the High Street, the Museum is situated just opposite the Pepperpot. It is home to exhibitions celebrating the history of the town  including the lives of many of the famous people who have lived here and the industries that have been so important to the development of the town and surrounding area.   Here is a brief list of some of the town's famous people and where you can find out more: General James Oglethorpe, founder of the State of Georgia, USA: visit Godalming Museum. G.F.Watts, the famous Victorian painter and sculptor: visit The Watts Gallery, described as "..one of the most beautiful small galleries in Europe" (The Daily Telegraph, July 2004). Jack Phillips, the heroic chief wireless telegraphist on the Titanic: visit Godalming Museum and the peaceful commerative gardens by the river. Gertrude Jekyll, artist and craftswoman and Sir Edwin Lutyens, architect: visit Godalming Museum to see the special gallery celebrating their lives and partnership. The town really has something special to offer the visitor with a selection of shops and supermarkets to cater for the day-to-day requirements and, a surprisingly wide range of specialty shops with many absolute gems tucked away in side streets and behind the timber framed facades. Add to this a fine selection of cafes, restaurants and town centre pubs and you have what might be called : "One of Surrey's Best Kept Secrets" As a smaller market town, or rural town to use the new expression, the town is rapidly changing to meet the new demands. The shops in Godalming are striving to offer that little bit extra and the new shops, cafes and restaurants opening in the town are bringing a fresh vibrancy. The town acts as a hub to the surrounding villages and as a base to discover the delights of the area. Visiting Other Rural Towns in Southern England We are delighted to promote other rural towns in the south of England including: Seaford in East Sussex: A local directory for businesses in this beautiful Cinque Port Town nestling between the Downs to the North and the English Channel.