Bletchingley, The Street 1905
Photo ref: 53205
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Photo ref: 53205
Photo of Bletchingley, The Street 1905

More about this scene

Prior to 1582, documents referred to this village as 'Blechingley', meaning 'the ley (or clearing) of the Blaecci people', and its origins probably date back to the 7th or 8th century. Even today, some residents are opposed to the introduction of the 't' into its name. This wide, curving street set on a sandy ridge runs downhill to the 16th-century White Hart Inn. Until the passing of the 1832 Reform Act, the village was represented by two MPs; in 1828 one of them was Lord Palmerston.

A Selection of Memories from Bletchingley

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Bletchingley

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

My maternal grandfather Ernest Cording was the private secretary to Mr Augustus Brandt, of Bletchingley Castle, before WWII at William Brandt's London offices and was asked to move from Upminster in Essex to live at Hill Cottage or The Dower House on Castle Hill in late 1939 when key employees were "evacuated" to Bletchingley. Hill Cottage was often used as accommodation for visiting staff my ...see more
I was one of the last pupils that attended the school, before they made St. Catherines the new primary school. It was such an amazing school to go to. When you first went to school you were kept apart in the 1st class and had our meals and toilets completely separate from the main school. When you moved up to the main school, we then mixed with the rest of the school. Although the boys had their own ...see more
I think my father worked at the Newsagents before he was married. The name of the person he worked for was Edwards; not sure if that was first name or Surname. I was born in Redhill Feb 13 1944.
I have never lived in Bletchingley, but my paternal grandfather, Alfred David Balcombe, was born and raised in the village. My great grandfather was a publican - at The Cottage of Content - but had died when my father was a young boy. My great aunt and uncle remained unmarried and continued to live in the property, although I'm not sure if they continued to run it as a public house. My great uncle was ...see more