Worplesdon

The village is 3½ miles north-west of Guildford, on the main road (A322) to Bagshot, Frimley and Camberley. The church of St. Mary occupies a prominent position on the ridge of land forming Perry Hill and Jordan Hill. The village and its small green sit along the west slope, while farther west is the large County Council ownership associated with Merrist Wood Agricultural College (now Merrist Wood Campus of Guildford College).

Worplesdon, St. Mary's Church, 1904
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection

St. Mary's Church dates from the 13th century with its chancel, north chapel, nave and aisles of this period. The tower dates from the mid 15th century and is said to be the best of its period in the county. Restoration was undertaken in 1866 and the south chapel added ten years later.

The village is at the edge of heathland and open country, which penetrates to the historic core. There has, however, been some residential development to the east of the church with houses in large gardens, and to the north-west of the centre. Around the green, however, there remain several buildings of interest and these form the heart of a conservation area.