Notes on the Architecture & History of Tandridge church

Although Tandridge is now a small hillside village overlooking the Weald, it must nevertheless have been of some importance in Anglo-Saxon times in giving its name to one of the thirteen Hundred districts into which Surrey was divided, and the same title has also been adopted by the present District Council, based in Oxted, which covers very largely the same administrative area. A small memorial and plaque on the north side of the road to Godstone, just west of Tandridge Hill Lane, marks the knoll which was the meeting place of the open-air Hundreds Courts that were held there from Anglo-Saxon days and even, for the election of minor officials, into the early years of the 18th Century.

St. Peter's church, although surrounded by trees, occupies a similarly elevated and prominent position in the parish, and in view of the significance of Tandridge as the centre of a Hundred district it is quite possible that an earlier Anglo-Saxon church could have been built here. No records or traces of any such building have been found, however, and the oldest part of the church is to be seen in the priest's door and window in what used to be an outside wall but is now the division between the chancel and vestry. From the style of rough stone-work these are thought to be early Norman, dating from the last quarter of the 11th Century, and are considered to be amongst the oldest examples of their kind in Surrey.

Undoubtedly, the most striking feature of the church is the timber tower which, with extra bracing added over the years consists of.......

You can read more in our all colour booklet 'A brief History and Architectural Notes' Price £2 available in church.