Pyrford () is an English village that for centuries had historical links with the monastery of Westminster, in whose possession it remained between the Norman Conquest and the Dissolution of the Monasteries nearly five hundred years later. It is thirty miles by road from central London and situated in the modern county of Surrey. It lies two miles east of the town of Woking and two miles west of the London orbital motorway, near Jct 10. Adjacent villages are West Byfleet, Wisley and Ripley.

Pyrford is bisected by the River Wey Navigation. Roads passing through the village include the B367 (Upshott Lane/Church Hill) and B382 (Old Woking Road). Open areas in the south and east of the village are designated Metropolitan Green Belt.^[1]

Pyrford is mentioned in The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells, in which it is near the landing site of the third of ten Martian invasion cylinders.

The current village name 'Pyrford' is derived from the Saxon name 'Pyrianford'^[2], which is believed to mean 'Pear Tree Ford'.

St. Nicholas Church

The Church of St. Nicholas in the medieval settlement area of Pyrford was built around 1140 and is a fine example of a complete Norman church.

It is thought likely that Queen Elizabeth the First would have worshipped at St. Nicholas Church. She reputedly donated a silver chalice to the church in 1570.

St. Nicholas Church

Original frescoes, painted in red ochre, were uncovered during renovations in 1869 and 1967. There are two sets of drawings from different periods with subjects including scenes from Christ's Passion and an illustration of pilgrims preparing to set sail in a pilgrimage to Spain.

The nave of St. Nicholas Church

A cottage in the conservation area by the church

The church grounds and the surrounding lands are designated a Conservation Area, having special architectural and historical importance.

Leisure

The Anchor at Pyrford Lock. A popular venue for countryside and riverside refreshment.

The River Wey Navigation and the associated Pyrford Marina provide much in the way of water related leisure pursuits. Towpath rambling, boat and lock watching, and wining & dining in a fine setting also offer very popular pedestrian activities during fine-weather months.

Sports

Pyrford Cricket Club was founded in 1858. Pyrford has three golf courses: Pyrford Golf Course, Wisley Golf Course and Traditions.

Transport

Hourly bus route 437 links Pyrford with Woking, West Byfleet, New Haw and Addlestone. The service is financially supported by Surrey County Council.

References

External links

• Pyrford History
• Parish of Wisley with Pyrford
• Woking Borough Council Pyrford Plan

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