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Edited: Mar 21, 2023

March 28th

Meet in the car park at 10.45 for a 11.00 start at:

Glades House, Cemetery Pales, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0BL

Given the poor weather of late I have decided on a guided walk through the beautiful grounds of Brookwood Cemetery. The walk will be led by one of the local volunteers who will explain the history of this amazing Cemetery. We will then take lunch at the nearby Cricketers on The Green. Their website is here: The Cricketers on the Green | Pirbright, Surrey

And the menu is here Food & Drink | The Cricketers on The Green

Parking

There are plenty of parking spaces at the Cemetery and at the Cricketers.

There is also a toilet at the Cemetery car park and tea and coffee will be available on arrival.

The Walk

This walk is a guided tour of Brookwood Cemetery, covering roughly 3 miles. The route is on hard tracks and there are no noticeable inclines and no stiles.

It will be led by a local guide from the Brookwood Cemetery Society, a charity run by local community volunteers. Those who attend are asked to make a small contribution to the Society which I will collect on the day.

Brookwood Cemetery was conceived by the London Necropolis Company (LNC) in 1849 to house London’s deceased, at a time when the capital was finding it difficult to accommodate its increasing population, of living and dead.

In 1852 an Act of Parliament was passed which allowed them to purchase 2268 acres of heathland near Woking from Lord Onslow for the purpose of providing a cemetery. Work began immediately on an area of 350 acres at Brookwood on the western extremity of the parish. There was no settlement at that time in the area, and it was not until the 1880s that the village of Brookwood was developed.

Brookwood Cemetery is a beautiful Grade 1 listed site in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. It is the largest Cemetery in Western Europe. The site is rich in architecture, ecology, horticulture and history.

Directions

Approached from Guildford, Glades House, Cemetery Pales, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0BL is off the A322 and the car park is on the left side of Cemetery Pales.

Leader: Fred. Please let Fred know in advance by email if you plan to join us so that an appropriate reservation can be made for lunch. Of course, your partners would be most welcome to join us.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the cemetery.

If you cannot make the walk, please come along and join us for lunch.

Members are reminded that it is their personal responsibility to decide on the level of their capability and whether they should participate in each club activity

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The origin of the name Fairmile on the Portsmouth Road is that it was a straight, dry mile of road that was used by stagecoaches travelling between London and Portsmouth. The name "Fairmile" is derived from the Old English words "fæger" meaning "fair" and "mæl" meaning "mile," so it literally means "fair mile." The road was first mentioned in 1749 as "Fair Mile".

The Fairmile Arms, a public house on the road, was not actually a stagecoach inn. It was a private residence until around the time of the Second World War. However, the name of the pub is a reminder of the history of the Fairmile, when it was a busy road for stagecoaches.

Today, the Fairmile is still a popular road for motorists, and it is also a popular spot for walkers and cyclists. The road is lined with trees and fields, and it offers stunning views of the Surrey countryside.

In the 17th century, the Portsmouth Road became a major trade route.

The Portsmouth Road is a major road in Surrey, England, that runs from London to Portsmouth. It is one of the oldest roads in the country, dating back to Roman times. The road was originally built as a military route, connecting London with the important naval base at Portsmouth.

In the 17th century, the Portsmouth Road became a major trade route, as it was the only road that connected London with the south coast. This made it a popular target for highwaymen, who would rob travellers at gunpoint. One of the most famous highwaymen on the Portsmouth Road was Jerry Abershawe, who terrorised the area around Kingston in the 18th century.

The Portsmouth Road was also used by stage coaches, which provided a regular service between London and Portsmouth. The first stage coach service on the road was established in 1681, and by the 19th century, there were several stage coaches running each day.

The Portsmouth Road was also used by the military, as it was the main route for troops to be transported to Portsmouth. This was particularly important during the Napoleonic Wars, when the British government was concerned about a French invasion.

In the 19th century, the Portsmouth Road was improved by the construction of turnpikes. This made the road easier to travel, and it also led to an increase in traffic. The road was further improved in the 20th century, with the construction of bypasses around Guildford and Woking.

Today, the Portsmouth Road is a major road in Surrey, and it is still used by both motorists and pedestrians. It is a popular route for commuters, as it provides a direct link between London and Portsmouth. The road is also a popular tourist destination, as it passes through some of the most scenic parts of Surrey.

Here are some of the key events in the history of the Portsmouth Road:

1603: A petition is passed by Her Majesty for the expansion of the bench of justices of the town of Guildford along its route, in consideration of the importance of the Portsmouth Road.
1681: The first stage coach service on the road is established.
18th century: Jerry Abershawe, one of the most famous highwaymen on the road, terrorises the area around Kingston.
19th century: The Portsmouth Road is improved by the construction of turnpikes.
20th century: The road is further improved with the construction of bypasses around Guildford and Woking.

The Portsmouth Road is a historic road with a rich history. It has been used by travellers, soldiers, and highwaymen for centuries, and it continues to be a major road in Surrey today.

Fairmile motor racing

The circuit was narrow and winding

Fairmile in Cobham, Surrey was used for motor racing in the early 20th century. The first recorded race was in 1903, and the last was in 1924. The races were held on a 2.5-mile circuit that wound through the village and the surrounding countryside.

The Fairmile races attracted some of the biggest names in motor racing at the time, including Selwyn Edge, Henry Segrave, and Malcolm Campbell. The races were also very popular with spectators, and often drew crowds of tens of thousands of people.

However, the Fairmile races were also very dangerous. The circuit was narrow and winding, and there were no safety features in place. As a result, there were a number of serious accidents, including several fatalities.

The Fairmile races were eventually stopped in 1924 after a particularly bad accident. A racing car crashed into the crowd, killing one spectator and injuring several others.

Today, there is no evidence that the Fairmile circuit ever existed. The land has been developed over the years, and all that remains is a short stretch of road that is still called Fairmile.

So, while the Fairmile races were a popular and exciting event in the early 20th century, they were also very dangerous. It is perhaps not surprising that they were eventually stopped.

Fairmile Probus