Cobham Heritage

Hollyhedge Car Park to be refurbished over the Summer (2019)

Car Parking Sign Roadworks Sign The Council car park at Hollyhedge Road in Cobham is undergoing a complete refurbishment, including slightly extending the car park and closing off the access onto Downside Bridge Road to create additional parking capacity. Once complete the car park will provide much improved facilities including Pay on Exit payments and additional electric car charging points.

The refurbishment scheme includes complete resurfacing works which will involve temporary closure to large sections of the car park on a rotational basis. To minimise the level of disruption, approximately 50 parking places will be kept available (currently there are 196) and the work will take place during August and finish early September 2019 when the demand for parking is typically lower.

As a result, car parking in Cobham is likely to be more difficult during this summer, although there will be more car parking spaces from September.

Knowle Hill Park footpath improvements fully Completed

The Knowle Hill Park footpath improvements that were undertaken last summer (2018) using CIL funding and have dramatically improved the quality of the footpath have now finally been completed (June 2019) with the installation of a radar gate at the bottom stile. This allows access for wheelchair users with a disability radar key. We thank Surrey County Council for their support with this project.

Come and Visit Cobham's 3 Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels project is an initiative of the Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust. It brings together three of our most attactive and interesting heritage attractions which were built in the 8th,12th and 19th centuries. They are all close to each other which allows all three to be visited during the afternoon.

Our three Crown Jewels are free to visit and are open between 2pm and 5pm on the second Sunday of the month between May and October:-

Sunday 12th May 2019
Sunday 9th June 2019
Sunday 14th July 2019
Sunday 11th August 2019
Sunday 8th September 2019
Sunday 13th October 2019

Download and View the leaflet

Crown Jewels Map

Sadly our President, Gordon Mills, has passed away

Gordon Mills President of the Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust Disraeli said

“Never take anything for granted” but, of course, we all do. We may live in Cobham or pass through it, but I wonder if we ever pause to appreciate its interesting features or stop to reflect that it takes careful thought, skilful planning, and a great deal of effort to preserve the things that give us pleasure."

These words were written by our President, Gordon Mills in the Foreword to the Short History and Guide to the Cobham Conservation Areas in November 1980. He was, at the time, the Chairman of the Cobham Conservation Group. Sadly Gordon passed away on Monday 11th March 2019 and he will be a great loss to the community.

Gordon was born in Cardiff on the 22 September 1931. He moved to Cobham when he married Olive in 1956. He worked for the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group all his working life, being their longest serving employee when he retired as a Chief Surveyor. The nature of his work gave him a great insight into the architectural features and history of Churches, Cathedrals and Stately Homes.

Gordon Mills on his 1960 Triumph 350 twin motorbike

The demolition of Gamage’s store on Cobham High Street was the catalyst to create Cobham Conservation Group in 1973, with others who were passionate to preserve Cobham. He was Chairman of the Group for many years and was proud of the group’s achievements, with conservation status being awarded to various parts of Cobham and Downside. When the Conservation Group was relaunched in November 2005 as the Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust, Gordon became it’s President.

Gordon was an active member of the community, being involved with the Labour Party, 1st Cobham Scouts, School PTA’s, and in the restoration of Cobham Mill. He was a JP, and as a magistrate sat mainly in the family court, initially at Walton until it closed, and then at Guildford. He vigorously campaigned for a footpath from Cobham to Downside, and the building of a bridge at Ash Ford which has enabled thousands of people to enjoy the circular walk from Cobham, through Downside and back via Stoke D’Abernon.

Gordon was married for over 60 years to Olive with a son, a daughter and seven grandchildren. To mark their diamond wedding anniversary the family commissioned a bench to be placed on Downside Common for others to enjoy the conservation area he cared about so much.

Oakdene Parade - Queens 90th Birthday Tree

Crown The Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust has been working with Elmbridge Borough Council Leisure and Cultural Services department to make improvements to the Oakdene Parade shrub bed which has become overgrown and blocks the view between Oakdene Parade and Cobham High Street. As part of this, a tree has been planted to commemorate the Queens 90th birthday. This has been another great joint project between the Trust and Elmbridge Borough Council.

Volunteers and members of the EBC Leisure and Cultural Services worked hard to clear teh site and replant it on the 18th November 2018. An estate guard isi to be ordered to protect teh tree and an official dedication will take place in the Spring of 2019.

Here are a few photos showing the before and after and the volunteers hard at work. Click on a photo to see a larger image.

New Cobham Heritage Book Available - Church Cobham, A Guide and History

Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust is delighted to announce the publication of its latest book in the series "A Guide and History" written by our local historian Dr David Taylor.

"Church Cobham, A Guide and History" provides a brief history and guide to the many interesting buildings that still exist in Church Cobham - the first Cobham Conservation Area.

This book together with "Cobham Tilt, A Guide and History" and "Downside, A Guide and History" make ideal Christmas gifts and will be available for sale at the Trust's Open Meeting on Wed 12th December 2018. Each book is is normally £7.99 but are only £6.99 each if you buy them direct from the Trust. The proceeds from these books will go to help fund the work of the Trust and we thank Dr Taylor for his support.

All three books are also available from the Cobham Bookshop or direct by downloading and completing the order form below.

Download the Order Form