Godstone History

GODSTONE, a parish and post town in the first division of the hundred of Tandridge, county Surrey, 7 miles E. of Reigate, and 10 S. of Croydon. It is situated on a tributary of the river Medway, and on the road from Croydon to East Grinstead. The parish includes the hamlets of Blindley Heath and Felbridge, with several other small places.

The South-Eastern line of railway passes through the parish, and has a station about 2 miles S. of the village of Godstone Green, which is of considerable extent. Petty sessions are held here for the division, and there is a police station. It was formerly a market town, and contains an extensive brewer. Lime, chalk, sandstone, and firestone are obtained.' The surface is elevated, consisting for the greater part of a ridge, branching off from the chain of the Surrey hills. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £510.

Godstone is the head of a poor-law union, embracing 15 parishes, and of a superintendent registry.

The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Winchester, value £334. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a neat structure, with a low tower surmounted with a spire. It contains several monuments to the Evelyn family.

There is also a district church at Blindley Heath, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, the living of which is a perpetual curacy,* value £100, in the patronage of the vicar. There is besides a chapel-of-ease at Felbridge. The parochial charities produce nearly £180 per annum.

There is a National school for boys and girls, and one for infants, all conducted in a large and convenient building recently erected. In the neighbourhood have been discovered traces of a Roman camp, and ancient burial-places. There is a chalybeate spring, and an old well, known as Dian's Fountain. A fair is held on 22nd July, and lasts for three days.

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003] These pages are intended for personal use only, so please respect the conditions of use.