Gomshall

Gomshall is a village in Surrey, England, situated near the towns of Guildford and Dorking. The village is surrounded by the North Downs and is close to the River Tillingbourne. Gomshall is also near the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes Box Hill and Leith Hill. The village is part of the Borough of Guildford and is represented in Parliament by the Member of Parliament for Guildford (UK Parliament constituency).

Geography

Gomshall is located in the Weald region of South East England, near the Surrey-Sussex border. The village is situated in a valley surrounded by the North Downs, which are a range of chalk hills that stretch across Southern England. The River Tillingbourne flows through the village and is a tributary of the River Wey, which in turn flows into the River Thames at Weybridge. Gomshall is also close to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes Box Hill and Leith Hill, and is near the M25 motorway and the A25 road. The village is surrounded by other settlements, including Shere, Abinger, and Holmbury St Mary, and is part of the Borough of Guildford.

History

Gomshall has a long history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was recorded as a small settlement in the Hundred of Wotton. The village was an important center for the iron industry in the Middle Ages, with several ironworks and furnaces operating in the area. Gomshall was also a major producer of gunpowder during the English Civil War, with the Gomshall Gunpowder Works supplying Parliamentarian forces. The village is also close to the site of the Battle of Staines Bridge, which took place in 1216 during the First Barons' War. Gomshall is also near the Loseley Park estate, which was built in the 16th century for Sir William More and is now owned by the More-Molyneux family.

Demographics

According to the 2011 United Kingdom census, the population of Gomshall is approximately 1,500 people. The village has a mix of old and new housing, with many listed buildings and conservation areas. Gomshall is a popular place to live due to its proximity to Guildford and London, with many residents commuting to these cities for work. The village is also close to the University of Surrey and the Royal Holloway, University of London, and is represented by the Guildford Borough Council and the Surrey County Council. Gomshall is also part of the South East England region, which includes the counties of Kent, East Sussex, and West Sussex.

Economy

The economy of Gomshall is largely based on agriculture and tourism, with many farms and bed and breakfast establishments in the area. The village is also close to the Guildford Business Park, which is home to many companies, including SAP SE and Philips. Gomshall is also near the Dorking town center, which has a range of shops and restaurants, including Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. The village is also close to the London Heathrow Airport and the Gatwick Airport, making it an attractive location for businesses and commuters. Gomshall is also part of the Thames Valley region, which is home to many technology and pharmaceutical companies, including Microsoft and Pfizer.

Transport

Gomshall is well-connected to the rest of the country, with several major roads and railway lines passing through the area. The village is close to the M25 motorway and the A25 road, which provide links to London and the South Coast. Gomshall is also served by the Guildford railway station, which is on the Portsmouth Direct Line and provides regular services to London Waterloo and Portsmouth. The village is also close to the Dorking railway station, which is on the Sutton and Mole Valley Lines and provides services to London Victoria and Horsham. Gomshall is also near the Heathrow Airport and the Gatwick Airport, which provide links to destinations around the world.

Education

Gomshall is served by several schools, including the Gomshall Primary School and the St Peter's Catholic School. The village is also close to the Guildford County School and the Royal Grammar School, Guildford, which are both highly-regarded independent schools. Gomshall is also near the University of Surrey and the Royal Holloway, University of London, which offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The village is also close to the City of London Freemen's School, which is an independent school located in Ashtead. Gomshall is also part of the Surrey Local Education Authority, which is responsible for education in the county of Surrey. Category:Villages in Surrey