The village of Compton, Surrey, England, is situated between Godalming and Guildford, and close to an important trunk road linking London with Portsmouth (now the A3). The bridleway, the North Downs Way, cuts across the north of the village. The census area of Compton is within Shalford ward and contains 5,161 people.^[1]

Compton appears in Domesday Book as Conton(e). It was held by Walter, son of Othere. Its domesday assets were: 11 hides; 1 church, 9 ploughs, of meadow. It rendered £9.^[2]

St Nicholas Church

A significant building in the village is St Nicholas Church which contains one of the oldest surviving carved Norman screens.

The building represents 900 years of history, and contains relics of an even earlier age, for in the structure of the tower can be seen pieces of Roman tiles salvaged from ruined buildings after the occupation.

The basic structure, including the tower, is Saxon, but it has been much altered over the centuries. For example, the influence of the Normans can be seen in the arches, the timber roofing (thought to date back to 1165) and the unique carved wooden screen in the chancel. Other features were added in the generations that followed, such as the spire (14th century), the pulpit and the clock (17th century).

George Frederic Watts

One of Compton?s best known residents was the painter George Frederic Watts who lived at a house called "Limnerslease", close to which the Watts Gallery, dedicated to his work, was built. The gallery is open to visitors. After his death, Watts Mortuary Chapel and cloister designed by his wife Mary Seton Watts née Mary Fraser-Tytler were built on a hill overlooking the village.

Other facts

Withies Inn

The Withies Inn is one of the oldest buildings in the village. Just set off the main road, it was built in the 16th century.

On the outskirts of Compton is Loseley Park. The Great Hall contains panelling taken from Henry VIII's palace at Nonsuch Park.

References

• Forster, David. (2001). AA 50 Walks in Surrey.

1. ↑ Census data
2. ↑ Surrey Domesday Book

External links

• Compton Village Website
• Loseley Park
• Watts Mortuary Chapel
• Watts Gallery