Welcome to Godstone

Godstone is a picturesque, historic village in Surrey near to the Kent and Sussex borders. Consisting of two main areas – Godstone Green and South Godstone.  It is surrounded by vast areas of rolling hills and farmland but is also ideally located for easy access to the M25 via Junction 6 and Godstone train station, located in the heart of South Godstone, with a trainline running out to Tonbridge and into London via Redhill.

Godstone Village School is a Primary and Nursery school set in an idyllic and quiet location in the heart of Godstone overlooking the Green. It is a small friendly school and plays a significant role in the thriving community of the Village.  Travelling a little further afield there are plenty of Primary, Secondary schools in both the private and public sectors.

THINGS TO DO

Godstone has a vibrant and active community.  With many clubs and societies in the village there is always something to get involved with,  from Godstone Gardening club, Tandridge Photographic Society, Bay Pond Baby & Toddler Group to the Godstone Social Club which regularly hosts live music and entertainment.  The area also has an excellent range of sports clubs including Godstone Football, Cricket, Bowling and Tennis Clubs.

A particular delight of the village is the Bay Pond Reserve.  The area is a beautiful private nature reserve featuring a wildlife garden, wildflower meadow, woodland and dipping pond. It features four ponds including the main Bay Pond, home to the Godstone Angling Club, with a public path and observation platform. Although closed to the general public, the Trust holds several open days, holiday clubs and events each year.

If open water swimming is your thing, then Divers Cove in Godstone is a must. Take a dip in their breathtaking 7.3-acre reservoir. Formerly used for sand extraction, the crystal-clear reservoir offers an idyllic environment to experience wild swimming.

Godstone Farm is a locally renowned attraction that promises to deliver a great day out for families.  With over 500 animals, adventure playgrounds, dinosaur trail, and zip wires the farm runs an extensive events calendar and never fails to disappoint. 

SHOPS AND EATERIES

Dotted throughout Godstone you will find several excellent pubs and restaurants, with The Bell Inn, The Hare and Hounds and White Hart all central to the Green.  There’s also various coffee shops and lunch time options including Blossoms and The Old Forge Coffee and Deli.

Flower Farm is a local farm shop with a delightful tea room and tap room.  It also offers ‘pick your own’, Christmas turkeys, and is an increasingly popular events venue; home to Godstoneberry and Oktoberryfest  - Godstone’s very own festivals!

With a handful of convenience stores in the area, and larger supermarkets available in neighbouring Caterham and Oxted, you are well served with shopping options.

HISTORY

 Meandering through Godstone village you will find some really interesting and historic properties with The Old Packhouse being the oldest timber-framed building in the village, dating from the 15th century. 

During the 19th century, the Pond at Godstone Green was used as a horse-pond, where the horses would be watered before being stabled overnight in the pubs that is now the White Hart Barn.  The village features in the doomsday book and was once a stopping off point for royalty as they travelled from London to the South Coast.

In the 17th century mining began in Godstone.  The flintstone that was extracted was used for buildings and furnaces.  Godstone mine, also referred to as Godstone Caves, is made up of 5 different networks, together they make up a total of 7 miles of tunnels. Marks on the walls were carved out by the yokes of oxen dragging carts around the mines; however in the 19th century metal tracks were laid down as the process became industrialised.

As operations at the Mine began to wind down, in the early 20^th century some of the more easily accessible tunnels were taken over by French mushroom growers!

In between the great wars the mines became derelict.  In WW2 parts of the mines were used for storage and some locals even used them as an unofficial air raid shelter.

The mine is now owned by the Wealden Cave & Mine Society and they very occasionally run guided tours of the cave network.