Where Is This? No.284

Published on: 3 Feb, 2018
Updated on: 3 Feb, 2018

By David Rose

Some excellent replies to the previous mystery pictures, with plenty of details of what can be seen in the two vintage images that I think were taken from the top of Guildford Castle Keep.

And the initials GPP seen in the quirky photos stands for Guildford Picture Playhouse – the original name of the site now currently being redeveloped, albeit slowly, as the Tunsgate Quarter.

Click here to see the post with all the replies and details at the foot of it.

There are three mystery pictures this time. And they really are all unknown, but maybe readers will be able to offer some suggestions as to the location of these houses.

Volunteer librarian at the Guildford Institute Philip Wilkinson has found them in the institutes archives. The photos are rather old, possible of buildings in Guildford, but no details are logged with them.

Mystery house number one, from the collection at the Guildford Institute. Click on pictures to enlarge in a new window.

Mystery house number two, from the collection at the Guildford Institute.

Mystery house number three, from the collection at the Guildford Institute.

The quirky picture was taken by Bernard Parke. These railings can be found in the High Street and he says he thinks some of the ironwork came from the former Town Bridge after it was destroyed following the floods of 1900.

Where can these railings be found?

If you know the answers and perhaps can add some more details, please leave a reply in the box below. I’ll give the answers in two week’s time with the next images.

Responses to Where Is This? No.284

Michael Ireland Reply

February 6, 2018 at 7:51 pm

The railings in the photo, with the quirky swirls were hand moulded, at Blackburn engineering company, Catteshall, Godalming.

They were made circa 1978 in the non-ferrous foundry cast from aluminium.

I personally made the mould and my brother Stephen casted it.
John Lomas Reply

February 10, 2018 at 3:11 pm

The railings are at the undercroft, the second building up from Chapel Street, probably numbered 72 as the building on the corner of Chapel Street has number 70 on its fascia.
Doug and Bill Stanniforth Reply

February 13, 2018 at 8:51 am

The first picture is the house overlooking the Bates Motel (Mrs Bates can be seen in the upstairs window).

The second is Stately Wayne Manor.

The third is obviously M Giles’ country retreat.

The railings are outside Liz Earles in the High Street which used to be the Trustee Savings Bank back in the day.

And Messrs Stanniforth will be interested to know that there is no speedboat access to the estate. Ed
Chris Townsend Reply

February 16, 2018 at 4:14 pm

The first house has many similarities with mystery house number 37 found to be in Sydney Road.

See: https://guildford-dragon.com/2012/12/10/where-is-this-no-37/

Chester Lodge (Austen Road Surgery) is in that same style, though much modernised.

It’s clear that a number of large houses in that area have been demolished and replaced, so the mystery house may not exist today, but Chester Lodge seems to have a similar shape, and if I had to guess I’d go for that.

It may be that the second and third old photos show different aspects of one house, but I’ve no idea where. The chimneys resemble those of the first house; the grounds look well-established, with large trees and a water feature or river.

The quirky railings are beside the entrance to the shop above the mediaeval undercroft.