It was only a few minutes walk into Guildford's shopping centre from our mooring on Shalford Meadow - and you will believe that we trod that path often - retail therapy and sight-seeing.
Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant but no dogs so we didn't go there!
Looks interesting ...
... even more interesting through the archway ...
The Royal Grammar School founded in 1509
Holy Trinity Church - brick built Georgian church, palladian in style, completed in 1763
The Chancel ...
... and high alter ...
... beautiful stained glass windows ...
... this one of a more contemporary design ...
.. a couple of windows have the makers sign on them - a monk - if you click to enlarge this picture you may see it engraved just to the right above the inscription.
The monument to George Abbot - Guildford's most famous son who was the Archbishop of Canterbury 1611-1633. He also commissioned the building of Abbot's Hospital opposite the church and was one of the translators of the King James Bible.
... macabre! ...
The pulpit dates back to 1769 but was reduced in height in 1869.
I liked the fact that the interior was painted white with little adornment except for the lovely alter and windows.
Hospital of the Blessed Trinity, founded by George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury 1619. Not a hospital as we know it today, but as an almshouse it is a hospital in its old sense - a charitable institution for the housing and maintenance of the ... aged' (Oxford/English Dictionary). This place has been providing housing for the people of Guildford since 1622.
George Abbot was born in a cottage at the bottom of the High Street, Guildford in 1562 and educated at the Royal Grammar School. He died in 1633.
A window etching from 1870
The courtyard garden of the hospital ...
... with more accommodation through the archway.
Back into town and I spy these youngsters high up on the parapet ... just chillin!
The Guildhall is Elizabethan but probably stands on the site of an earlier building where the merchants would meet to run the town's affairs ...
... the beautifully gilded elaborate clock projects high over the street ...
... and the bell turret was added in 1683.
Guildford Castle was probably built soon after the Norman invasion in 1066; the massive square keep built in the mid-1100's. The castle was abandoned in the 1370's.
Castle Arch in Quarry Street was built in 1256 during King Henry III's reign and in 1611 King James I sold the castle to Francis Carter an under keeper of the park and an important local official who built the house by the arch ...
In the 18th century the house became less important and was divided into apartments and the estate was divided up and rented out to different people ...
... Castle Street ...
... not much has changed here ...
... since 1885!
After the castle was abandoned in the 1370's the keep was probably used by the Sheriff to house prisoners ...
... the skyline - Trinity Church on the right and the almshouse towers on the left ...
... built where a natural stream emerges and flows into the Thames ...
The Stream
Your upward path, my downward flow are fixed by law divine. My task is to refresh your soul, yours to discover mine.
'The church has been disused since the 16th century. This reconstruction is based on the earliest drawings of the ruins, which belong to the 18th century. There is still uncertainty about a number of aspects of its original appearance' ...
... a 1787 engraving of ...
River Wey & Navigations : Godalming Navigation final section - St ...
... another distant view from the top of St Catherine's Hill and a beautiful copper spire.
Near the end of our stay in Guildford there are two places still to visit - the Cathedral and the Alice in Wonderland statue which we missed when visiting the castle. But the day was marred by a horrible incident in the park where the picture below was taken.
As we approached this secluded area of the park with Molly (our Patterdale Terrier) on her extended lead, we saw three men sitting on a bench with 'tinnies' (cans of beer/lager) and when they saw us the youngest one got up and was looking around desperately, but he wasn't quick enough, his dog a Staffordshire Bull Terrier came tearing at us from behind the bushes and attacked Molly. Luckily Molly was wearing a harness and George was able to lift her up without bending but not quickly enough, the staffy caught her rear-end. The youth knew that his dog was vicious with other dogs and that it should have been on a lead but you can't argue with a drunk can you? George was in a mood to 'clock' him one but it wouldn't have helped at all - we were both very, very shaken I can tell you. Once we were out of there we checked Molly over and all seemed to be ok, no visible wound and she was walking and acting as normal, so we continued our walk.
... eye catching indeed ...
... on the crucifixion...
... and last but certainly not least is the peaceful Children's Chapel.
Don't look now if you are squeamish ...
Your pictures of Guildford and particularly of the Guildhall bought back childhood memories. It was near there that my new school uniform was purchased before being taken to boarding school near Cranleigh. The Wey and Aran Canal ran through the grounds where we went for a crafty (or not so) fag/ Perhaps this is where my love of canals began!
ReplyDeleteLovely set of photos of my old home town. So sorry you had the nasty incident with the dog, though. Hope everyone recovered all right.
ReplyDeleteVivvinyl - thank you for your comment, I'm pleased that you enjoyed reading that particular blog post. Thank you also for your concern regarding Molly and you'll be pleased to hear that she recovered well eventually.
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