Tongham Heritage Open Days

The Historic Tongham Village Hall

This year, Tongham is participating more than ever before in the National Heritage Open Days from the 6th to 9th September 2012.

Jane and I have devised a Tongham Hop Trail, which is a family friendly self-guided trail around Tongham.  Much of the late 19th and early 20th century history of Tongham was associated with the hop industry and there are remnants of it today.  Follow the Hop Trail and visit some of Tongham’s historical buildings and links to the hop growing trade.   Admire the unusual detached bell tower at Saint Paul’s Church, visit the newly refurbished kiln, walk with you children through Tongham Community Wood and take part in a nature quiz, visit Tongham Village Hall and enjoy tea and cakes whilst viewing the photo exhibition, visit the White Hart which is holding a beer festival or visit the local Hog’s Back Brewery.  There will be much to do over the weekend.

You can download the "Tongham Hop Trail" brochure from the Guildford Borough Council website, here:  Tongham Hop Trail map [4Mb]

Participating in the "Tongham Hop Trail" and in the Heritage Open Days are these fine Tongham institutions:

The Kiln – www.amberandgreen.com
 St Paul's Church – www.stpaulstongham.org.uk
 Tongham Community Wood – www.tonghamwood.org.uk
 The White Hart pub – www.thewhiteharttongham.co.uk
 Tongham Village Hall – www.tonghamvillagehall.org.uk
 Hogs Back Brewery – www.hogsback.co.uk

Details of Tongham Open Days events and opening times can be found in Guildford Borough Council's Heritage Open Days brochure, which you can download here:  Heritage Open Days brochure 2012 [4Mb].

For those of you who are wine enthusiasts, note that Greyfriars Vineyard on the Hogs Back near Puttenham will be open on the Sunday September 9th between 10am and 4pm.  They are well worth a visit.  If in doubt read a report on our Tongham Tasters  visit there last year.  Click here for a report on a Vineyard in Transition.

Checking out the grapes at Greyfriars vineyard in 2011

Hope we see you around Tongham on the weekend of 8th and 9th of September!

If you cycle, do take a ride down cycle route 22 (turn left at Kei's restaurant in Runfold after cycling down Grange Road)  to Puttenham to see Surrey's last Hop garden.  They will be picking in September so be quick.

Puttenham Hop Garden August 2012

If you enjoyed our Hop Trail and fancy a longer walk through this part of Surrey's Literary Heritage click here.