Where Is This? No.83

Published on: 13 Nov, 2013
Updated on: 13 Nov, 2013

By David Rose

Thanks again to all those who replied to last week’s images. Click here to see their replies at the foot of the post.

Most recognised the part of the High Street that is where White Lion Walk is today. In the old photo the Lion Hotel can be seen along with the Astolat Tea Rooms.

Carol Norris’ comments were very interesting about the different coloured uniforms worn by the staff at the two Astolat tea shops. Today’s Starbucks and the like take note!

I think some readers may have been canny and used Google Street View to work out where the topiary is. It’s Cheseldon Road. So well done.

Do you recognise this view, taken from a picture postcard of the 1900s?

This week’s vintage photo is a view of part of a village close to Guildford town centre. The pub on the left still stands and so do the cottages on the right. A church is hidden behind the trees. Any ideas or comments? And does anyone know about the connection here with the World War II GHQ Stopline?

Where can these steps be found?

The photo of something quirky was taken by editor Martin Giles recently. A flight of steps that leads down from one public open space (a garden) to another and quite close to the town centre.

If you know the answers to this week’s, and perhaps have some comments to make, please leave a reply in the box below. All replies will be posted at about the same time next week, along with a new post with the answers to this week’s vintage photo and quirky picture, and the next pair of images.

Responses to Where Is This? No.83

Ewan Gordon Reply

November 14, 2013 at 5:03 pm

1. The Seahorse at Shalford.
2. Sorry no idea on those steps.
Ray Springer Reply

November 14, 2013 at 9:03 pm

The picture is of Shalford and the pub on the left is the Sea Horse. St. Mary’s Church is hidden by the trees.

The staircase is in Racks Close, behind the Castle.
Carol Norris Reply

November 17, 2013 at 1:58 pm

Picture 1 : Shalford
Colin & Linda Jackson Reply

November 17, 2013 at 5:56 pm

We think the first photo is of Shalford and the pub is the Seahorse. There is a slot in the concrete wall, at the Shalford end of the pub, which was part of anti-tank road block. The Seahorse pub itself was also fortified. Hope others may be able to add more info.

The second photo has got us thinking.
Chris Townsend Reply

November 17, 2013 at 6:20 pm

The postcard shows the Seahorse at Shalford. On the left of the pub today is a concrete block, originally one of three with slots for a steel barrier. In case of invasion, this road block would be part of a line of defences – the GHQ Stopline – built in 1940 to the south of London. Concrete pill boxes still in the area were part of the defences.

The puzzle photo shows Racks Close, given to the town in 1911 by Alderman Leonard Ashby Ellis, of the family of Shalford tanners, etc. The placename is a reminder of when Guildford cloth makers in medieval times used tenter frames to dry cloth from the fulling mills. The steps lead up to the top of Castle Hill and Warwick’s Bench.
Brian Holt Reply

November 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm

The photo is The Street Shalford, looking towards Guildford.
The building on the left is the Seahorse Inn, behind the trees you can see the old cottages.

The steps are inside the Quarry Street entrance to Racks Close, and go up into Castle Cliff Gardens. There is another entrance in Castle Hill near Castle Arch.
Bill and Doug Staniforth Reply

November 19, 2013 at 5:21 pm

It’s The Street, Shalford. The pub is the Seahorse (I think they do gift vouchers for prizes).

The steps are in Foxenden Quarry (we think).

[We give vouchers too. Winning entrants can have a voucher for a a year’s free subscription to The Guildford Dragon NEWS. Ed]