Guildford Snippets – Do You Know? No.14

Published on: 5 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 5 Aug, 2018

by Nick Bale, Guildford Town Guides

The Castle Grounds has been hosting an event called Inspired by Alice, offering many activities for children to do and see.

The Chestnuts.

The Revd Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, writer of the Alice books and more, in fact first visited Guildford in August 1868, 150 years ago. He was looking for a suitable home for his six unmarried sisters and one unmarried brother. Fortunately he discovered The Chestnuts, which proved to be the ideal place.

My question this week therefore relates to Charles Dodgson and his family.

Charles had two other brothers, Wilfred and Skeffington, and one other sister, Mary, who married and had children. Charles was therefore an uncle to many nieces and nephews. He described himself as their “watchful uncle”. In what way was he “watchful”?

If you know the answer, please leave a reply in the box below. The answer will be given in a week’s time with the next Guildford question.

You can find out more about Charles Dodgson and his family on the Lewis Carroll and Guildford walk on Tuesday, August 7, starting at Tunsgate Arch at 2.30pm. He will also feature in the new Leading Lights walk on Tuesday, August 14 (pre-booking required).

The answer to the previous question is that the Millennial Sundial is now located in Castle Cliff Gardens in between Castle Hill and Quarry Street.

Visit www.guildfordwalks.org.uk for further information.