Haslemere Society

updated 25 February 2026

The Haslemere Society exists to protect and enhance Haslemere, nearby villages and the surrounding countryside, by encouraging the interest and support of residents and members.

The Society has a distinguished pedigree with its origins going back to 1884 when Sir Robert Hunter (one of the three co-founders of the National Trust) set up the Haslemere Branch of the Commons Preservation Society, which eventually became the Haslemere Society. The re-introduced Blue Plaque scheme goes from strength to strength. Haslemere is a historic town of great charm. Its setting in wonderful countryside in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and its good transport links make it a much sought after place in which to live. The town is vibrant and cherished and the Society does not resist change, but seeks high standards of appropriate development and the careful planning of amenities and facilities, which are as much a concern for the Society as is conservation.

The Haslemere Society has a substantial membership whose influence is widely respected. The committee appreciates its active involvement and support.
New members are very welcome. You can help to shape Haslemere's future by joining the Society.

River Wey Water Vole Recovery Project

Upcoming events in 2026 - Links to book these events will be added soon

Spring Meeting HASLEMERE MUSEUM 7:30 pm Friday 24 April 2026

Free to members including drinks and canapes

David Elliott from the National Trust will be giving us a talk entitled
“River Wey Water Vole Recovery Project”.
His talk will cover our rivers and water courses and the challenges they currently face, how we can try and do something about those problems, and the work the National Trust are undertaking for water vole, and other wildlife recovery across the river Wey catchment.
David will also update us on the Haslemere Beaver project.

Blue Plaques in Haslemere - New Plaque unvailing. Saturday 2 May 2026

Details to Follow

Visit to Shulbrede Priory. Saturday 9th May, 2026 2.30pm

Free to ticket holders including afternoon tea
The Ponsonby family have kindly agreed to host a Group of 20 members for a guided tour of their family home followed by afternoon tea. Shulbrede Priory in Linchmere was founded in 1190 for Canons following the rule of St Augustine, and originally dedicated to St Mary, the Holy Cross and St Eustace.
Tickets, for which there will be no charge, will be made available in March. Costs will be absorbed by The Society. Spaces are limited to 20 so please be vigilant if you wish to come.

Society Summer Party Friday 19th June; 6:30-8:30pm

Ticketed. £20 per ticket to include wine and canapes

This will be held at Stepping Stones School at Undershaw. There will be an opportunity to tour this historic house, the home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,and we are hoping for a short performance from some of the pupils to punctuate an evening of fine company, wine and canapes. I had earlier asked members to also reserve 26th June: if you did so, please now release the date.

Gardens of Undershaws

'Summer Beano' to Weybourne Vineyard 14th July 6.00pm

£30 per head. Limited number of tickets
We are repeating this much enjoyed visit to our local award winning vineyard. In their own words:
Located at the highest point of the South Downs National Park, The Weyborne Estate enjoys breathtaking views of a perfect English landscape. Green pastures, undulating hills and lush valleys stretch as far as the eye can see into a distant horizon. Here that the River Wey begins its journey as spring waters emerge from the ancient aquifer at the northern end of the Estate, bringing life to our gardens and vineyards.

The cost will cover a tour of part of the estate with external views of the house which was built in 1640, a talk about the viticulture and history of the estate, followed by tastings of their excellent sparkling wines with a cheese and charcuterie board. Estate wines can be purchased at a 15% discount. The evening should conclude by 8pm.

Summer Outing on 26th August

Start time likely around 9.15am.
Cost £50
A visit to Parham House followed by lunch at Badgers in Petworth and a short visit to the restored Petworth Railway Station
Parham House is one of Sussex’s most tranquil and beautiful historic homes, first built in 1577 during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Lovingly restored in the 20th century by Clive and Alicia Pearson—who filled it with interesting and beautiful treasures—the house has been carefully preserved by their family for generations.
Surrounded by its renowned Walled Garden and peaceful Pleasure Grounds, Parham was first opened to visitors in 1948 so that others could share in its unique atmosphere.
Today it is owned by a charitable trust, continuing the generous ethos of those who shaped this remarkable place.
Parham’s character, beauty and tranquillity have changed little over the centuries, and it remains a wonderfully special setting to explore.
Join us for a guided tour of the house and gardens and enjoy the experience of this exceptional historic estate.

LUNCH @ Badgers prides itself on being one of the best pubs in the South Downs, offering exquisite cuisine. Chefs work closely with local suppliers and strive to produce high-quality food.

The old railway station at Petworth stood on the defunct Midhurst to Pulborough Line and has been magnificently restored. A short stroll from Badgers, Gareth David will share a brief history before we embark on the return journey.
The outing by coach will depart from Haslemere at around 9:15 AM, returning at about 4 PM. full details will be provided nearer the time.

Parham House W.Sussex

Petworth Pub

Petworth Station

Haslemere Society AGM at Haslemere Hall. THURSDAY 12 November 2026

Free to members including drinks and canapes

Official historian of the George MacDonald Society, John McNeill will give a talk about this somehow forgotten 19th Century author and resident of Haslemere. MacDonald was a pioneer in the field of modern fantasy literature, a mentor for fellow-writer Lewis Carroll and inspiration for JRR Tolkein and CS Lewis.

If not familiar with his works, so forgotten is he that you can purchase his complete works with beautiful illustrations to read on Kindle from Amazon for an outlay of 99p or his Fairy Tales in book form for a less modest £8.09! Alternatively do order from the town's wonderful bookshop.

Haslemere Society AGM - Held on 13 Nov 2025

AGM Minutes (Approved)

Please find the AGM Minutes for Nov 2025 Here

Blue Plaques
Amesbury School now proudly presents two Blue Plaques

The Society unveiled a new Blue Plaque to commemorate Squadron Leader Melvin ‘Dinghy’ Young, a member of the Dambusters in 1943 who attended Amesbury.
Please see Link to the Amesbury

Recent Events held by the Society:

Past Events: Goodwood House; Summer Party 2025 pictures, Wine Tasting are on Events page.

Society visit to the ruins of Waverley Abbey
Home of the first UK Cistercian Order set in beautiful Surrey Countryside partly shadowed by a 500Yr old Yew Tree.

Summer Visit to Blackdown Ridge
Nestled under the Blackdown Ridge is a young winery which hosted members of Haslemere Society for one of two wine tasting sessions in July. Members were treated to 5 varieties of wine.

How to grow, harvest & drink wine delivered by Lucinda.

Jane receiving a historic photo of Haslemere

Summer Party 2024

21st June saw the 2024 Summer Party at the Haslemere Museum with the Brass Band providing the background.
This was also the retirement of Jane Stopford as a Committee member of the Society - details in the Newsletter.

Article: Haslemere Tree Wardens working with Haslemere Society
The five members of the Haslemere Tree Wardens are part of the Surrey Tree Warden group. To hold the Tree Warden Badge training is required from learning tree biology to legal constraints of the position. To adhere to the role, Tree Wardens cannot enter private land, provide any formal advice or tree surgery and definitely not resolve any disputes. A warden can however offer advice and directions to the correct statutory body to assist the tree, or the person.
Haslemere is unique with 48% of the designated Haslemere area as woodland which compares to around 10% nationally and 22% in Surrey. Of this 33% (ie 761 ha) is broadleaf woodland and 15% (346 ha) is coniferous. About 85 ha (8% of the HNP area) is listed on Natural England's Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI).
Trees have a hidden asset of providing Public Wellbeing, economical and social benefits by their very presence, providing they are in the right place.

The Haslemere Tree Wardens can offer service to say the Town Council for auditing & monitoring local trees, noting location, species and importantly health, not just stress but important diseases like Ash Dieback. With ancient woodland and a town with a long history it also has many classified trees which are registered on the Woodland Trust website.

It is important that “the right tree is in the right place”, both for its size, water access, light and impact it will have on the infrastructure, such as roots. Planting a sapling today in the wrong place may cause future issues interrupting adjacent buildings and infrastructure. Tree works next to established trees must follow the recognised British Standard (BS 5837) to protect the unseen roots so the tree wardens can offer advice based on the code of practice. The same applies to overhanging branches, ownership and rights to prune.

However, a Tree Warden cannot intervene in disputes or take any action, merely point people in the right direction.
The local Tree Wardens can be contacted through the STW network

References
Woodland Trust API Tree map https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
Waverley Planning [email protected]
STW https://www.surreytreewardens.org.uk/members/haslemere/

Courtesy of STW (May 2024)

WEY HILL FAIRGROUND SITE PROPOSALS
Details on proposals for development of the Fairground Site on Wey Hill. WBC have now formally agreed to press ahead with investigating proposals for a shopping precinct with 32 affordable council flats above it on the site.
The importance of consultation and the Society’s role
In principle, the Society supports development of the site, and we are keeping an open mind about the current proposals. The Society’s Planning Group will form a view once there is sufficient information to do so and may at that point object to or raise concerns about specific planning applications. However, we recognise that members are unlikely to all have the same view about whatever detailed final proposals are made. Our key concern is therefore to ensure that there is meaningful consultation with the community. We will be pressing WBC to provide full information in accessible ways and to offer appropriate channels for people to give their views and raise concerns well ahead of any planning application. We know that our local town councillors are also keen to ensure the local community is properly consulted so we will be working with them where appropriate to try to deliver this.
See Haslemere Society Comments here

Minutes from Haslemere Society AGM's