Godalming, Surrey
Godalming is one of those Surrey market towns where it’s easy to forget how close you are to the metropolis; you know, it’s all very pretty and life pootles along at its own pace. It’s lovely; streets lined with gorgeous old buildings, nice independent shops, like a fishmongers, a butchers and a farm shop. If you’ve got the time, pop into the museum where they have displays about celebrated garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, and Jack Phillips, who operated the wireless on the ill-fated Titanic. You know what they say – learn something new every day.
Adding to Godalming’s appeal is the fact that it’s on the River Wey with it’s navigations; cattle graze in the ancient water meadows and down by the wharf you’ll see colourful narrow boats tethered to the wall. In the summer you can spend a lazy hour or so drifting along the waters on a horse drawn barge; hard to beat, that. Come back to town and soak up the happy vibe of the music coming from the bandstand.
If you’re stopping by for a bite to eat The Star and the Red Lion both do good home cooked pub fare, and Bada is the place to go for tapas.
All information correct at the time of writing