Elstead

Elstead
Elstead Mill
Elstead
Elstead shown within Surrey
Area	11.04 km2 (4.26 sq mi)
Population	2,557 (Civil Parish 2011)[1]
• Density	232/km2 (600/sq mi)
OS grid reference	SU907437
Civil parish	Elstead
District	Waverley
Shire county	Surrey
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ELSTEAD
Postcode district	GU8
Dialling code	01252
Police	Surrey
Fire	Surrey
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	South West Surrey

Elstead is a semi-rural civil parish in Surrey, England with shops, houses and cottages spanning the north and south sides of the River Wey; development is concentrated on two roads that meet at a central green. It includes Pot Common its southern neighbourhood. Hamlets in the parish, marginally separated from the village centre, are Charleshill and Elstead Common, both rich in woodland. Elstead lies between Farnham and Godalming on the B3001 road about 2.2 miles (3.6 km) west of the A3 Milford interchange.

History

Panorama of the first village green, that at the junction of the B3001 and Thursley road. North to the centre, South at each wing.. By the church is a smaller green.

Elstead's relative prosperity over the centuries can be partly attributed to the existence of the availability of a site for a watermill and a bridge over the river, parts of the bridge are dated to around 1300.^[2]

The first known reference to Elstead is in the 1128 foundation charter for Waverley Abbey (sometimes spelt Waverly), where it was called Helestede. The church of St James was built around ten years later. It still contains 13th century windows and some 14th century timbers^[3] and is a Grade II* listed building.^[4]

Elstead Old Bridge, built circa 1300

In the 14th century, the Scheduled ancient monument bridge was built over the River Wey. Today this old bridge, strengthened by Surrey County Council in 1993, takes the westward traffic; eastward traffic takes the new bridge alongside.^[2]

Elstead had a forge built in 1686 which is now a private house.

Elstead Mill, now a pub restaurant, was occupied by Oliver Cromwell’s ‘roundhead’ army during the English Civil War but subsequently burnt down. The present structure is described in its listing as being the result of several re-buildings from the 16th century.^[5]

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Elstead was known for the quality and quantity of carrots grown there, with daily shipments by train from nearby Milford Station up to London's Covent Garden market during the growing season. This is attributed to the light sandy soils in the village which are excellent for carrot growing.

In 1997 a millennium oak was planted at the southern apex of the village green under the auspices of the afternoon WI.^[6]

In 2005 Elstead became notable for its then brothel, which was down "the little road so the village green and the Spar shop are on your right." .^[7]

Geography

Hankley Common World War II battlements

Elstead is surrounded by common land, including Hankley Common which is used by the British Army for training purposes.

Thundry Meadow, close to Elstead, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) and is an important breeding area for the dragonfly and damselfly.

Charleshill

The western hamlet Charleshill, is on the opposite (left) bank of the River Wey on the B3001 to Farnham, half of the hamlet being in Tilford. Its public house is The Donkey originally called The Half-way House. The pub was converted from two small cottages in 1850, which at that time were owned by Farnham United Brewery. It acquired the nickname of "The Donkey", as before the days of motor traffic, donkeys were kept tethered outside the Inn to help horses and carts up the hill; it officially became named this in 1947.^[8]

Nearest Settlements
	Seale and Sands Moor Park, Runfold	Gatwick (the hamlet) in Shackleford	Peper Harow Puttenham
	Tilford		Milford
		Elstead
	Rushmoor Churt	Thursley	Witley

Demography and housing

The average level of accommodation in the region composed of detached houses was 28%, the average for apartments was 22.6%.

The proportion of households in the civil parish who owned their home outright compares to the regional average of 35.1%. The proportion who owned their home with a loan compares to the regional average of 32.5%. The remaining % is made up of rented dwellings (plus a negligible % of households living rent-free).

Sports and facilities

Elstead marathon.The adult five mile race at the river Wey bridge

Elstead Royal British Legion has a club house.^[9] There is a bowling green and an outbuilding used as a commercial tea-room. Elstead Cricket Club are based in the self-built pavilion on the Thursley Road recreation ground. Elstead Sharks are the junior soccer club. The Elstead Marathon has been held for over 100 years.^[10][11] Elstead pancake race is held on a convenient day, near to Shrove Tuesday.^[12]

Pubs and Bars

The Woolpack

Elstead has four pubs. The Golden Fleece, The Mill and The Donkey are all on the Farnham Road. The Woolpack is on the Village Green. Both the Royal British Legion Branch and the cricket pavilion, bar'stead, are on the Thursley road.

Notable residents

• John Black Atkins, journalist
• Sir Francis Fogarty, RAF Air Chief Marshal
• William Fraser, 3rd Baron Strathalmond
• Sir John Sunderland, President of the CBI
• Peter Thomas, Baron Thomas of Gwydir, Secretary of State for Wales

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elstead.

• Elstead Parish Council