Location for a home ~ Comment:  Generally recommended and highly recommended in parts, but it does not have the prettiest village centre

Present Day Aspect and Character

hilworth has a rather plain appearance in its long, straight main street, New Road,  and as such the village is not typical of the area because it has no central green or picturesque spot.  Mostly 19th century and 20th century houses border this through road with the provision of a few scattered local shops and a petrol station.   

Further east towards Albury the road is generally bordered by detached bungalow style homes interspersed with attractive spots such as the duck pond.  Chilworth is close to the east/west railway line, evidence of which is apparent by the village level crossing and station.  It is easy to travel through Chilworth, however without noticing the most attractive countryside in particular just bordering the north side. Blacksmith Lane (that continues as Halfpenny Lane see photo) is one of Surrey's prettiest lanes running north from New Road giving access to the site of Chilworth's old 17th century gunpowder mills.  All that can be seen of the old gunpowder mill now are the vast grindstones in the woodland along the banks of the Tillingbourne.   There are old waterways, half-buried railway tracks and millstones to look out for, some of these features might be considered unsightly, but it is Chilworth's history and interesting to explore. The industries have long gone to leave a more tranquil valley for the Tillingbourne river that can now gently flow through the wooded sandstone hills.  

It is worth mentioning too that Chilworth benefits from the convenience of  Tillingbourne Junior School, close to the centre, and an Infant School.

The parish church of Chilworth is St Martha on the Hill, inconveniently positioned high up above the village in a generally inaccessible position!  This beautiful spot is however worth the walk.  On the hill south of St Martha some five circular banks with external ditches are thought to be Early Bronze Age Henge Monuments about 100 feet in diameter.  A tradition also associates the St Martha’s rings with local 7th century martyrs and St Martha's name may be a corruption of Martyrs.  The Downs Link starting at St Martha's will take you all the way to the South Downs. 

Chilworth Manor is set on lower lying ground beneath St Martha and worthy of a visit. It is the most important house in the parish,  built in mid 17th century brick for the gunpowder manufacturer Vincent Randyll and enlarged in 1725 and later.  In terraces up the hill is the 17th century walled garden reminiscent of  Evelyn's work at Albury.

Schools: Chilworth C of E                              Tel: 01483 562476
                 Tillingbourne County                     Tel: 01483 504384

Pubs 
The Percy Arms, Dorking Road was built as part of the Albury Estate in the 19th century and owned by Henry Drummond, eventually passing into the hands of the Percy family.  Unfortunately part of the history of this pub saw its temporary use as a mortuary when six people were killed in 1901 by the accident at the gunpowder factory mentioned above.   Tel: 01483 561765

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