As part of the Westborough Community Day, David Rose and Martin Giles led a guided walk up to the site of the hunting lodge at Manor Farm in the University grounds.  They brought with them some plans showing the extent of the old deer park and how it would have fitted on to-day’s map.  We were able to stop while we placed ourselves in the maps so that we could understand what we were looking at and they were both very good at explaining not only the landscape but also the historical links between the kings who had visited the castle and the hunting lodge.  From what they said about the social history at the time, Merrie Englande was not so merry after all – royalty and their retinue in the castle speaking a different language from the conquered Anglo Saxons of the town who were made to work to build the castle and the deer park.

We walked up to the remains of the old moat.  Unfortunately at this time of year the undergrowth made it difficult to see clearly.  We were also able to see the outside of Manor Farm which replaced the original building.  Interesting to learn that Queen Elizabeth I chose to stay at Loseley during her visit to Guildford because the costs of the visit would then be met by the owner rather than out of her own purse.  A very astute lady!

It would be really great if it could be made easier for local people and visitors to Guildford had more opportunities to walk up there and to learn how local history and the modern use of the land live side by side.