St Martha's Hill facts for kids
St Martha's Hill is a famous hill in St Martha, Surrey, England. It sits between the town of Guildford and the village of Chilworth. This hill is the 18th tallest in Surrey and is part of the Greensand Ridge. It's also very close to the North Downs. From the top, you can see a wide view of Newland's Corner, which is part of the beautiful Surrey Hills AONB.
The church on the hill is important for the small local area. It has parts from a church built in the 1100s, though it was rebuilt in the 1800s. Many people choose this church for weddings, even if they don't live nearby. The ancient Pilgrims' Way path crosses the hill from east to west.
Contents
History of St Martha's Hill
Ancient Discoveries
People have found very old objects on St Martha's Hill. These include large stone structures and tools from as far back as 3500 BCE (Before Common Era). Below the church, there are five circular earthworks, which are like large, round ditches. Experts believe these date back to the Bronze Age. They were explored in 1953, but one has since been covered by a water reservoir.
Why the Name "St Martha's"?
There are different ideas about how St Martha's Hill got its name. One old belief is that it was originally called "Saints and Martyrs Hill." Some say the "martyr" was Thomas Becket, a famous saint. Another idea, supported by old documents, suggests the chapel was named after its location on a "marterhill." A local story also says the hill is named this way because early Christians were burned here long ago, during Saxon times.
Good Friday Custom
Until the late 1800s, a special tradition took place on St Martha's Hill every Good Friday. People from all over the countryside would come to the hill. They would gather near the old church and enjoy music and dancing. This custom was very popular and continued for a long time.
"A custom, the origin of which is lost in the obscurity of time, prevails in the neighbourhood of Guildford of making a pilgrimage to St. Martha's (or Martyr's) Hill on Good Friday. Thither from all the countryside youths and maidens, old folks and children, betake themselves, and gathered together on one of the most beautiful spots in Surrey, in full sight of an old Norman church which crowns the green summit of the hill, beguile the time with music and dancing. Whatever the origin of this pilgrimage to St. Martha's, it is apparently one that commends itself to the taste of the present generation."
Important Places on St Martha's Hill
St Martha's Church
St Martha's Church, also known as St Martha-on-the-Hill, is a protected historic building. It sits right on top of the hill and you can only reach it by walking. It is the only church in Surrey located directly on the famous Pilgrims' Way. The church even appeared briefly in the 1944 movie A Canterbury Tale.
An earlier church from the 1100s stood here but fell into disrepair by the 1700s. The church you see today was rebuilt between 1848 and 1850. The architect, Henry Woodyer, used many of the original 12th-century parts. These include the Norman arches at the main entrance and zig-zag patterned windows on the tower. Inside, the church is simple. Most of its features are from after 1850, except for a 12th-century font (a basin for baptisms) near the front. You can also see old carvings and dates etched into the stone outside the church. People believe the church might have been built as a landmark or a beacon to guide travelers or pilgrims heading to Canterbury or Winchester Cathedrals.
Church Dedication and Famous Graves
The church is dedicated to Saint Martha. There are only two other churches in England with this dedication. One is in Broxtowe near Nottingham, and the other is a Methodist church in Tring, Hertfordshire. During the Christmas season, the church is lit up at night.
The churchyard is a burial place for several notable people. It includes a memorial to the actress and singer Yvonne Arnaud. Her ashes were scattered there. Also, the grave of Bernard Freyberg is in front of the church's south door. Freyberg was a brave soldier from New Zealand who won the Victoria Cross medal in 1916. He also received the DSO three times. In 2007, a special service was held for him at the church, attended by the New Zealand High Commissioner.
Natural Features
The eastern part of St Martha's Hill is a protected area called Colyers Hanger Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This area is important for its heathland plants, including several types of acidic grassland plants. Other parts of the hill also have some of this special heathland vegetation. The western end of St Martha's Hill is registered as common land, meaning it's open for public use.
The hill reaches a height of 175 meters (574 feet). This makes it the 18th highest hill in Surrey. Like most of the tallest hills in the county, it is part of the Greensand Ridge.
Close to the bottom of the hill is Chilworth Manor, a historic country house.
