Abinger Hammer
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Abinger Hammer | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Population: | |
Ordnance Survey | |
OS grid reference: | TQ095475 |
Administration | |
District: | Mole Valley |
Shire county: | Surrey |
Region: | South East England |
Constituent country: | England |
Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
Other | |
Ceremonial county: | Surrey |
Historic county: | Surrey |
Services | |
Police force: | Surrey Police |
Fire and rescue: | {{{Fire}}} |
Ambulance: | South East Coast Ambulance Service |
Post office and telephone | |
Post town: | Dorking |
Postal district: | RH5 |
Dialling code: | 01306 |
Politics | |
UK Parliament: | Mole Valley |
European Parliament: | South East England |
Abinger Hammer is a village situated on the A25 between Dorking and Guildford in Surrey, England.
The village was once a very important centre of the wealden iron industry and this is commemorated by its most notable landmark, the clock which overhangs the main road. This portrays the figure of "Jack the Blacksmith", who strikes the hour with his hammer. The clock bears the motto "By me you know how fast to go". The striking hammer has been out-of-order since 2005.
The River Tillingbourne flows through the village and forms a number of hammer ponds, once used to power forges and now to grow watercress. During the summer you can catch brown trout in the stream, which is their natural habitat, or the occasional larger rainbow trout which may have escaped from the fish farm further downstream towards Gomshall.
In summer the village green in Abinger is very popular with locals and tourists who like to picnic on the grass whilst watching a game of cricket in surroundings which are quintessentially English. The cricket pitch borders the Tillingbourne - the Post Office sells nets for children to "fish" in this shallow and sandy stream. Annie's tearoom is next to the Post Office and offers lunches and teas 7 days/week. It has a low-key, domestic ambience and is popular with cyclists and walkers. Here you can sit in the garden, have a nice cream tea and enjoy the view over the green.