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  • Wheelers Farm House, The Street

    Grade II listed building (9 March 1960), located on The Street From Historic England : House. C16 with C19 range to rear. Timber framed with whitewashed brick and rubble infill, plain tiled roof, hipped to left. Sandstone rubble with brick dressings to rear. Two storeys with end stack to right and ridge stack to left. End stacks on rear range. Four framed bays with three braces on first floor. Three leaded casement windows to first floor and two windows below. Central door in gabled porch on wood supports and sandstone plinth walls. Wheeler's Farm 1953, Miss M Baker and Mr D Sharland later Mr and Mrs D Sharland Wheelers Farm House in 1989 View looking North from Churchyard in Thursley 11/94 Wheelers Farm & Old Vicarage Wheelers Farm Yard and Old Barn, 1990 Yard at Wheelers Farm, with Damsel the horse. John Worsford, the carter lived at Wild Goose 1905 wedding of Edward Baker (Ted) of Upper Highfield Farm and Maria Levy of Smallbrook Farm. Edward (Ted) Baker and wife, Maria (née Levy) with daughter Betty (who later became Weeden)

  • The Old Village Hall, Thursley

    A few months ago, we were asked why there wasn't a history of the first village hall on the website. Since then, a number of photographs of it have been found as well as photographs of it being used. More recently an article on its formation has been discovered in our archive. The Old Village Hall with the Three Horse Shoes in the background Helpers at Christmas Party in the Old Village Hall about mid 1950s. Left to right: Mrs Wonham; Mrs Messenger; unknown; Mrs Keen; Mrs Good; Mrs Dummer Hannah Wonham in her home, Overdale Horticultural Society Dinner in the Old Village Hall - probably about 1950. Old Village Hall: exhibits at autumn show held by the Horticultural Society and Farmers Assocation - early 1950s Old Village Hall: Sid Hall facing microphone with Wilfred Pickles in the "Have A Go" radio show in 1958. See separate entry.

  • Upper Highfield Farm House

    Upper Highfield Farm is a timber-framed, smoke-bay house that dates from the second half of the 16th century. Grade II listed building (9 March 1960) The entry below was published by SurreyLive under the heading "Secrets of a farmhouse at Thursley: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/secrets-farmhouse-thursley-4845854 UPPER  Highfield Farm in Thursley has a fascinating history. The farmhouse was, at one time, owned by a school. In 1913 a folk song collector visited one of its tenants and noted down three traditional songs. House detective Philip Gorton has been researching its history for the current owners. He has found out a lot, but there are still details that need to be uncovered and clarified. Here is what he has discovered so far. Situated on the lane to the Devils’ Punchbowl, Highfield Farm is a timber-framed, smoke-bay house that dates from the second half of the 16th century when it was occupied by Richard Boxfold. From then, until 1951, it was owned by various landlords and has been the home of a succession of tenant farmers. By 1662 the chimney had been built and, during the next decade, a second fireplace was built upstairs in the bedchamber for which the tenant, Richard Haddington, was charged an extra 2 shillings per year in Hearth Tax. Perhaps it was to celebrate his latest home improvement that he burnt his initials on to the hearth beam with his cattle branding iron! In 1704, the farm was bought by the trustees of the newly founded Robert May’s School in Odiham. It was a small school with about 20 boys on roll and the rents of the farm went to maintain the building, to provide free education and to fund apprenticeships. The archives of the school record their stewardship of the farm, the continual need for maintenance and relations with its various tenants. Maria Karn came to the farm with her husband Joseph in 1822 and was widowed with two small children 10 years later. Their letters to the trustees reveal how Mr and Mrs Karn struggled to make a living and pay their rent during the agricultural depression that followed the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. The records show that Maria continued to run the farm through the “Hungry 30s”, supplementing her living by baking and selling bread. Upper Highfield was in the ownership of the school for more than 150 years until Mrs Karn left and the Cosford House estate bought the farm in 1857. Edward Baker and family at Upper Highfield Farm dated 1904. There were 10 children. Surnames of previous owners include: E Baker; J Baker; Wilton; Abels A series of short-term tenants followed until 1885 when Edward Baker came to the farm.In 1913, a folksong collector visited Edward and noted down three of his traditional songs, John Barleycorn, The Sweet Nightingale and The Cuckoo. It has been many decades since these songs, which reflect Mr Baker’s world and way of life, were sung within the walls of Upper Highfield Farm.  Edward Baker in the early 1930s. He was 91 when he died and he never went to church, not even to give his daughters away. From the Surrey Advertiser, 4th November 2005. Edward Baker remained at Upper Highfield until his death in the mid 1930s when his son, John, took on the tenancy.It says a lot for the continuity of rural life that he was farming the same 33 acres of land during the Second World War that were tenanted by Richard Boxfold four centuries earlier.  Edward and John Baker in the 1920's Miss E Baker John Baker Snr, plowing at Upper Highfield in the 1920's Philip Gorton is a professional researcher who specialises in the history of houses. A recent project is the history of Upper Highfield Farm. He would like to speak to anyone who may have family connections, memories or pictures of the farm or its former inhabitants.He is particularly keen to contact descendants of Edward Baker. If you are able to help in any way, he will be very grateful if you could contact him. Write to him at 11 Orchardfield Road, Godalming GU7 3PB or ring 01483 420763. His website is: www.house-history-research.co.uk Upper Highfield Farm as it is today Previous owners of Upper Highfield Farm include: Baker; Leavitt

  • Paintings of the village and parish

    Thursley has a fine history of supporting artists and this entry adds current and historic paintings of the village. We would welcome any new entries be they current or in the past. See also the entry for Thursley's Artists Through the Ages as it provides some background on some of the artists featured. The Old Parsonage and the Granary of Hill Farm Barns by Edward Wilkins Waite  (1854-1924) The Old Parsonage has attracted painters for decades past These paintings are by Arthur Robertson who was a late Victorian British watercolour artist and topographical painter active in the 1880s and 1890s. He specialised in village and town scenes, domestic and architectural subjects and figures in contemporary dress: The Lodge, The Street, Thursley The Old Parsonage Postcard of painting of Keeper’s Cottage by A.R. Quinton. Minding the Fire by Henry Edward Spernon Tozer Mercy Fosberry and her daughter Mary by Eveline de la Belinay Lance c1930 Kitchen of Pitlands Farm (now Punch Bowl Farm) by Eveline Lance The Three Horse Shoes when the breathalyser was introduced by Russell Brockbank, Art Editor of Punch Sunflowers leading to the Threshing Barn, painted in Thursley by Philip Traill, 2003 Philip's daughter, Helena, is establishing a reputation as a plein air painter: No. 248  Heather and Gorse , on Thursley Common, 2026 No. 46  After a walk everything changes , Moat Pond, 2025 These contemporary paintings of Thursley Common are by Sallie Roles :

  • Punch Bowl Farm (formerly Pit Farm or Pitlands)

    From Historic England : House. C17 extended in C20. Sandstone rubble with brick angle quoins and dressings, and brick extensions, under plain tiled roofs, hipped to right. Two storeys with gable lit attics over basement plinths. Plat band over ground floor and rear stack to left. Two first floor and one ground floor casement window, one window on each floor and one in the basement storey on the left hand return front. One five-light casement window between the timbers of the gable end. Ribbed door to right in pentice roofed porch in the re-entrant angle formed by the two ranges. Wooden C17 window mullions in window adjacent to re-entrant angle on wing. From an undated painting by Eva Webb Below is the lease for Pitlands 1560 Keen Family Wedding in Pitlands This picture was painted by Eveline Lance who lived at The Outlook c1920 Field map of Punch Bowl Farm John and Mary Keen at the turn of the 20th Century and other contemporary photographs Stables at Punch Bowl Farm Aerial views of Punch Bowl Farm Photographs of Peter, Jo and Sally Scheffers and the farm taken in the 1970s   Punch Bowl Farm, formerly known as Pitlands or Pit Farms, retains a three bay timber-framed house dating from the 16th century with a large smoke bay at the southern end.  In the 17th century a stone parlour wing was built in front of the original two-storey house.  This wing has two storeys plus an attic as well as a cellar underneath.  The farm was formerly part of the Cosford Estate until its sale, by auction, to Monica and Bill Edwards who acquired it in 1947 (the conveyance was on 13th November 1947). It was bought as Pit Farm but immediately renamed Punch Bowl Farm. It was then immortalised in print by the numerous books written by Monica where it was referred to as Punchbowl Farm, the most famous being “The Unsought Farm’.  I the late 1960s, Monica and Bill retired to the bungalow they had built above the farm but close to the badgers Monica still holds so dear.   The Scheffers moved into the farm in September 1981.  Four years later the land at Upper Highfield Farm was purchased from John Robertson and both farms are worked as one producing beef cattle and sheep.  In 1994 the Punch Bowl Fold of Highland Cattle was formed and are grazed, during the summer, in the newly fenced northern section of the National Trust’s ‘Devil’s Punch Bowl’.  As well as the farm animals we also have three horses, two cats, a goose and one elderly, but very naughty donkey, ‘Briar Rose’.  Josephine, Peter and Sally Scheffers at Punch Bowl Farm, 1976 Surnames of previous owners: Keen; S Hall; J Hall; Edwards; Chalmers Punch Bowl Farm, 2014. Photographs by Sean Edwards Bill Edwards mowing Barn Hill

  • Smallbrook Farm

    From British listed buildings: Hall House. Early C16 core, refaced in C17. Timber framed, clad in sandstone rubble with brick patching and dressings, hipped plain tiled roof. Two storeys with corbelled stack to left of centre and stack to left end. Two 3-light, gabled, casement, on-eaves dormers to centre and one 3-light window to either end of first floor. Five windows to ground floor, irregularly spaced, under-cambered heads. Door to left of centre in large, open, gabled porch with arched entrances to front and sides with carved spandrels. Interior:- Some framing visible. Grade II, 29th April, 1986 Smallbrook Farm 1897 Cart Shed, footpath up to Church Cuts. Maria and Ann Levy, 1897. The sisters are in their milking gear, the hats, we decided, were to protect their hair from being dirtied by the cows, or to stop them getting ringworm. They rose at 5:30am for the milking - the rest of the family rising at 6:00am. Mrs W Levy of Smallbrook, Uncle Lancelot from Petersfield and their sister, Mrs Woods, from Hedge Cottage. Miss Maria Levy Ann Levy on her milk round in Thursley village, 1908. She and her sister, Lucy, ran the farm together. They managed the farm and the lodgers with the help of the carter and the cowman until 1931. The picture was taken outside Wheelers Farm. Smallbrook Farm, 1897 - the second row of trees are the elms of Highfield Lane which blew down. The second 1897 picture shows the added windows. The Granary, 1897, was pulloed down by LadyThomas, you can still see the back wall and the steps. 1905 wedding of Edward Baker (Ted) of Upper Highfield Farm and Maria Levy of Smallbrook Farm. The photographs below are from Betty Weeden's album Betty Weeden Stewart and Faith Wagner, 1996 Previous owners of Smallbrook Farm include: Levy; Wagner, Daw Sale details in February 2024: https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbgursgus230100

  • Thursley Cricket Club

    Photos only. For further information: https://www.facebook.com/ThursleyCricketClub/ Minutes of the AGM held on May 1st, 1865 Bert Williams, groundsman and umpire, 1947 to 1980. Photo by Allan Woodger, 1958 The article above was published in Thursley Today, 1965 (see separate entry) The pavilion referred to above. I'anson Cup Winners 1970. Back Row: J Reffold, P Baldwin, D Hardy, P Pietrusiewicz, A Tilson, A Davidson. Front Row: A Staves, D Piper (Vice Captain), B Karn (Captain), G Pilbeam (Vice Captain), R Linegar, D Williams A Thursley Cricket Match in 1992, Thursley Gentlemen v Gentlemen of Thursley Back row from right to left : Robert Ranson; Richard Leet-Cook; Alan Traill; Malcolm Coles; Mike Spencer; unknown; Paul Gubby; Barry Rapley; unknown; Alan Staves; John Puttock; Julian Watt; Tony Tilson; Aubrey Karn; Alan Wells, Tony Cheeseman and Brian Karn Front row from left to right : two unknowns; Peter Goble; Peter Andersen; Anthony Langdale; Ant Hodges; unknown; Simon Treadwell; unknown; Tim Wakeley A colour photograph of the same event.

  • Tweedsmuir Camp Legacy and the Lorne Scots Regiment

    From Thursley Parish Magazine December 2019, written by Rosemary Stockdale The Tweedsmuir Camp (off Dye House Road) was built by the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1941 and it became  the home of the Canadian Lorne Scots Regiment for over 3 years from 1941 to 1944. It officially closed in 1947 and then became the home of Polish displaced persons until it closed down. On January 10th 1943 the Lorne Scots Regiment marched through Thursley to the church to present a brass plaque to the village to mark the many occasions that the Canadian unit worshipped at the church during their stay at the camp (located on right hand side of the church). A live video of this visit is recorded on the Canadian Army Newsreels and can be viewed by clicking on the link . It is well worth viewing as it shows the village as it was in 1943 and the Lorne Scots Regiment marching through the village to the church. In April 2004 their pipes and drums were heard in Thursley once again when they returned to visit the camp and the commemorate plaque in the Church, to pay tribute to their comrades who served here during the war and those that didn’t return  to Canada. Lorne Scots practice on the recreation ground - undated

  • Cosford Mill

    Cosford Mill, a Grade II listed building (19th June 1991) is part of the 70 acre Milhangar Estate once owned by Queen drummer Roger Taylor. The Mill is set in large grounds adjacent to a stream and mill pond. The Vale of Cosford - from a print dated 1812 Cosford Mill and the Bakehouse Richard Budd or Bodd, installed a new waterwheel made at a foundry in Reading. When Cosford Mill ceased to work, Budd moved to High Salvington in West Sussex. Many other photographs of the mill can be found here: https://catalogue.millsarchive.org/informationobject/browse?topLod=0&sort=relevance&query=cosford+mill The lane of beech trees near Cosford Mill in 1990's COSFORD MILL (From an undated sales brochure)  Set in an idyllic, private location, a detached Mill House offering spacious accommodation, abundant natural light and a warm atmosphere in a peaceful setting with easy access to London Sitting room with Inglenook fireplace, large entertaining room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom ensuite, three further double bedrooms, family bathroom, gardens, mill pond & stream, woodland   Cosford Mill is situated in between Bowlhead Green and Thursley. It is positioned offering excellent access to the A3 and mainline train station without compromising the peaceful environment.  A detached Mill House set an idyllic, private location. The property itself has been refurbished to a very high standard of finish, with generous accommodation and exceptional features. The property overlooks beautiful, calming views.   Tiled porchway leading to:- Kitchen - Tiled floor, electric oven, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, washing machine/dryer and ample wall and base units. Reception 1 - Wooden flooring, large open fireplace, ample lighting. Reception 2 - Stone flooring with under floor heating, spacious room with the added feature of the Mill workings, ample lighting. Reception 3/Breakfast room - Leading to kitchen. Bathroom - W/C, wash hand basin, bath. Main bedroom - A generous double bedroom with built in wardrobe, access to balcony, added feature of Mill workings, plus en suite containing, heated towel rail, under floor heating, W/C, wash hand basin, bath, ample wall units. Bedroom 2 - Spacious double bedroom Bedroom 3 - Double bedroom, attic access in airing cupboard. Bedroom 4 - Spacious double bedroom with beautiful views Spacious landing area which could be used as a study area or open plan living area. The stairs and entire first floor have wall to wall carpeting. Large gardens with large pond and river feature.   Tenure: Monthly   Situation: Cosford Mill is situated in between Bowlhead Green and Thursley. It is positioned offering excellent access to the A3 and mainline train station without compromising the peaceful environment.   Directions: Starting out at Savills Guildford, Quarry Street, turn right at the traffic lights onto Millbrook. At the Friary Bridge roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Farnham Road - A31.  Continue on Farnham Road up the hill and turn left onto Down Lane. Merge onto the Guildford and Godalming By Pass Road and come off at the Thursley and Bowlhead Green junction. Turn left heading back on yourself and the property can be found down the second track on the right.

  • The Lane, formerly Back Lane

    See separate entries for Badgers, Shepherd's Cottage, Pax Cottage and Olde Hall. Photographs only PAX COTTAGE* OAK COTTAGE Mr and Mrs Croft of Oak Cottage. He was a chimney sweep and she was a midwife. Previous owners of Oak Cottage include: Yalden Tone and Rodney Badcock outside Oak Cottage, September 1947 ROSE COTTAGE Property particulars in September 2025: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/160192829#/media?id=media0&ref=photoCollage&channel=RES_BUY BADGERS* SHEPHERD'S COTTAGE* Surnames of former owners of Shepherd's Cottage include: Winter; Twyman. Holman OLDE HALL* A Mystery Solved! The photograph below has long mystified the society and despite its appearance in the Parish Magazine, nobody came forward to identify it. Step forward committee member, Sally Scheffers who would not let it go and continued to ask around. Finally the suggestion that it was the original front of the Back Lane cottages (ie Oak Cottage, Pax Cottage) was confirmed as you can see from the contemporary photographs.

  • Dye House Road

    WORK IN PROGRESS - Photographs only and see separate entries for The Three Horseshoes, Bears Barn, The Well House, The Old Vicarage, The Village Hall, The Corner, The Clump, The Dye House and Brook and Horn Cottages FOLDSDOWN The Patrick Family, Foldsdown, 1997 Surnames of previous owners of Foldsdown include: Parker; Jobson; Matthews FOLDSDOWN COTTAGE Details to come. THURSLEY HOUSE Details to come of current building The above four photographs are of the original Thorcroft, now demolished, which sat on the site of Thursley House. A note on the reverse of the first photograph states, "In her will Miss Branchini donated money to the village hall". THORCROFT HOUSE Taken from sale particulars from March 2026 Thorcroft is a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom house that was built in 2006. It sits in 2.5 acres. https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/dye-house-road-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld180207 THE VILLAGE HALL* THORFIELD Thorfield consists of six purpose-built flats and maisonettes VEAN COTTAGE This photograph by Sean Edwards Vean Cottage, November 2027 THE OUTLOOK Reg Fosberry in 1996 The Outlook was originally the workshop of the builder, William Karn Fosberry, he and his family lived at what is now known as Vean Cottage. He eventually converted it into living accommodation. As you can see, a studio was built at the back for the use of his brother-in-law, Henry Tozer, who lived at The Clump when it was a shop and Post Office. Eveline Lance, the artist, rented the house in the summer months, eventually coming to live there permanently in 1929. The studio was then used by her. After the Fosberry family sold Vean Cottage, they moved into The Outlook, where Reg, William's grandson still lives. The Outlook faces Thursley Common and lies behind The Clump and Vean Cottage THE CLUMP* THE CORNER* THE OLD POST HOUSE The Old Post House 1932 Old Post House and Sawyers c1965 Ben and Nancy Wonham, The Post Office The Old Post Office was extensively remodelled in 2022 Surnames of previous owners of The Old Post Office include: Davidson; Wonham; Wishart SAWYERS Sawyers c 1980 Sawyers, Mary Rapoley and Elizabeth Copeman 1996/7 Surnames of previous owners of Sawyers include: Ellison; Arnold; Gabriel; Sparks; Copeman Sawyers in 2025 From sales particulars in 2025: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/e4f55920-dde7-44c7-8602-dedfd1030af2?v=media&id=media1&ref=photoCollage THE THREE HORSESHOES* THE WELL HOUSE* BEAR'S BARN* THE OLD VICARAGE* CHETWYND COTTAGE Prudence Jones, Chetwynd Cottage MAGPIE COTTAGE Magpie Cottage was sold in 1952 as part of the break-up of the Cosford Estate: THE OLD STORES Information to come STORES COTTAGE Rodney and Tone Badcock, 1997 OVERDALE and CRICKETS Crickets , below, was built by the Canadian Army in World War 1 for the recuperation of wounded soldiers and is the original construction. Overdale , above, was built in 1985 and replaced a similar building to Crickets. FORGE COTTAGE Forge Cottage, September 2025 Sale Particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/dye-house-road-thursley-nr-godalming-surrey-gu8-6qa/gld0125845199331ea8c9b72&csg=34d3e8edf97180a5d7b02f5c163b59f66a8062d5dd02fed71b44555796fbb3bc&#/?channel=RES_BUY Previous owners of Forge Cottage include: Holford SOUTH HOUSE, RED LODGE Simon, Joyce and Christopher Hall, South House, Red Lodge, December 1966 BROOK COTTAGE & HORN COTTAGE* THE DYE HOUSE*

  • Shepherd's Cottage

    This Grade II listed building (28th October, 1986) is situated at the end of The Lane and is undergoing extensive renovation. It was formerly known as Cherry Tree Cottage. We are grateful to the current owner for supplying the report below that was prepared by the HCUK Group. 1912 2025 1912 This 'View at Thursley' is probably from a postcard. It shows the Shepherd's Cottage in the foreground and St Michael & All Angels in the distance. 1969 Surnames of former owners include: Winter; Twyman; Holman Page 1 of a 21 page report on Shepherd's Cottage by HCUK Group. The pdf of the report is below.

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