Effingham lies between Guildford and Leatherhead, 4 miles west of the latter and astride and south of the main road (A246). The historic village centre is still viewed from a distance across open vistas, and therefore a wide area around the settlement is protected as a conservation area.
Effingham Church, window in north wall of chancel
Photographic Survey and Record of Surrey no. 1601
The parish church of St. Lawrence has been greatly restored and extended, but with its square tower remains a focal point. Nearby and in the older parts of the village are many traditional flint walls of importance to the local character.
Effingham, the village, c.1965
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection
There are associations with the branch of the Howard family that took the title Lords Howard of Effingham. They sometimes lived nearby at Bookham, also had a property in Effingham, and were lords of the manor between 1550 and 1647. William, 1st Lord Howard, was Lord Admiral in Queen Elizabeth I's reign and his son Charles succeeded to the title, also became Lord Admiral, and held this position when commanding the fleets that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. The association is perpetuated in the name of the local school.
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