Bletchingley

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Bletchingley
map_type= Surrey
latitude= 51.2406
longitude= -0.0992
population = 3,147 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=800102&c=RH1+4NU&d=16&e=15&g=492133&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 Census data] ]
shire_district= Tandridge
shire_county= Surrey
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= East Surrey
post_town= Redhill
postcode_district = RH1
postcode_area= RH
dial_code= 01883
os_grid_reference= TQ327507 Bletchingley (or Blechingley) is a village in Surrey, England. It is on the A25 road to the east of Redhill and to the west of Godstone.

History

The village lay within the Anglo-Saxon administrative division of Tandridge hundred.

The settlement appears in the "Domesday Book" as "Blachingelei". It was held by Richard de Tonebrige. Its "Domesday" Assets were: 3 hides; 14 ploughs, 17 acres of meadow, woodland worth 58 hogs. Also 7 houses in London and Southwark. It rendered (in total): £15 13s 4d. [ [http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey "Domesday Book"] ]

Bletchingley can be traced back as far as Saxon times and was subsequently mentioned in "Domesday". Its name derives from the large deposits of Fuller's Earth found in its environment, used amongst other things for bleaching ('bletching') as well as an industrial lubricant. It is still possible to find signs of this long history today: parts of the Church date back to 1100 with considerable enlargements in the 13th century. This distinctive Norman church, St Mary’s, can be found to the east of the village. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a curate at the church during the 1960's.

In 1225 there is mention of Bletchingley as a borough. In the Middle Ages a borough was created either by the King or one of the Lords as a potentially profitable element in the development of their estates.

It appears that after the 14th century Bletchingley began to lose its importance as a borough, perhaps losing out to the market town of Reigate. However, at one point it managed to achieve the status of a rotten borough! Parliamentary elections were held in what is now the White Hart.

A number of public footpaths and bridleways can be found both to the north and south of the village which not only allow access to the countryside but also provide the opportunity to stumble across some other interesting buildings.

The house at Place Farm formed the gatehouse of Blechingley Place: a great Tudor house, which Anne of Cleves occupied after her marriage to Henry VIII was annulled. Anne of Cleves originated from a small town called Kleve, in what is now Germany.

This long history means that it is still possible to see several buildings that date back to around 1500 in the High Street area. Also to the north can be found Brewer Street Farm (15th century) and the Old Rectory (1786).

The village was formerly a parliamentary borough and elected two members to the unreformed House of Commons.

Today

The nearest railway station, Nutfield is about 3 km or 2 miles away in South Nutfield.

Bletchingley today still manages to keep in touch with its medieval roots and strives to maintain the character of the village. The central part of the village is a conservation area and is set in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

References

External links

* [http://www.bletchingley.org.uk/ Village official website]
* [http://www.bletchingleyweb.com Bletchingley Web]