Travel Modernism Limited

Antiques Road Trip

Join us for an antiques road in the beautiful setting of the Surrey Hills and the Kent Weald.  Upto three guests can enjoy the delights of a Citroen 2CV or a larger party can be accommodated in another vehicle.  The journey can begin in Guildford or Sevenoaks and will follow the A25, part of the ancient road between Winchester and Canterbury, guests will also receive a complimentary afternoon tea to provide a delicious accompanient to their tour.

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Guildford - It is believed that the name of the town is based on the golden sand found on the banks of the River Wye which flows through Guildford and a fording point which enabled travellers to pass prior to bridges being built.  Although Roman remains have been discovered in the town it would be the Anglo Saxon period which saw it prosper as the site of the Royal Mint from 978.  The Normans built a castle at the strategic fording point and the ancient road between Winchester and Canterbury known as the Harrow Way, the Domesday Book recorded the town as Geldeford and Gildeford.  In the 14th century the Guildhall was constructed and still stands today as a noticeable landmark of Guildford. The north end was extended in 1589 and the Council Chamber was added in 1683. In 1683 a projecting clock was made for the front of the building, it can be seen throughout the High Street.  There are many antique shops to choose from which include Memories Antiques, Old Barn Antiques and Wellers of Guildford to name just a few.

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Gomshall - The Village started as the Manor of Gumesele during the Anglo Saxon period and then became Gomeselle after the Norman conquest.  In 1154, Henry II of England divided the Manor of Gumesele into three: West Gomshall, East Gomshall and Somersbury. In 1240, West Gomshall was granted to the Cistercian Abbey of Netley in Hampshire[6] and became known as Gomshall Netley. East Gomshall was granted to the Abbey of St Mary Graces, Tower Hill, London in 1376 and became known as Gomshall Towerhill.  The village economy was based around the wool trade, corn milling, watercress growing, and leather tanning.  There several shops to visit such as Coach House Surrey, Bridge House and in nearby Abinger Hammer there is Stirling Antiques.

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Dorking - Began as an agricultural village on the Roman Road known as Stane Street between Chichester and London.  After the Norman invasion of 1066 it was known as the Manor of Dorchinges and was owned by William the Conqueror.  The Dukes of Norfolk became subsequent owners and oversaw the growth in milling, brewing and agriculture.  The town also prospered by being a stopping place for coaches travelling between the South Coast, London, Sevenoaks and Guildford.  There was also a large market featuring the Dorking fowl, which featured five claws rather than four.  With the advent of the railways, the town also became part of the comuter belt which encourage the building of large homes in the surrounding area.  Dorking has a thriving antiques scene with West Street being the location of a dozen shops and Windibank Auctions located in Dorking Halls.

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Reigate - Has one of the longest history of human settlement along the A25, with Bronze Age barrows on the Common long with Roman finds.  As with each of the places on the tour it formed an Anglo Saxon Hundred administrative area in its own right.  The Domesday Book records the town as Cherchefelle and two years later the town was given to the Earl of Surrey, William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey would order the building of Reigate Castle.  The Castle was demolished by the end of the 17th Century but the caves and gardens are still present and well worth visiting.  The name of Reigate possibly derives from the gate to the nearby deer park owned by the de Warenne family and the earliest part of the town focused around Castle Street.  The medieval period also saw the founding of Reigate Priory by the Order of St Augustine who also created a hospital.  The Priory during the Dissolution of the Monastaries in the 1530s was given to Effingham branch of the Howard family, the buildings are now used as a school.  In terms of antique shops there is the The Magpie House and The Old Post Office Antiques.

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Bletchingley - First recorded in the Domesday Book as Blachingelei and owned by Richard de Tonebrige.  Bletchingley Place was the home of Anne of Cleves after her divorce from Henry VIII in 1540.  Parliamentary elections took place at the White Hart Inn which is still in business to this day.  The picturesque high street has Home chic Home and Lawrences Auctioneers to provide a eclectic and varied range of collectables and antiques for discerning shoppers.

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Godstone - Originally known as Walkingstead and first recorded in 932 and the Domesday Book of 1086 listed the village as Wachelstede. The current version of the name was known as Godston in 1248 with a connection with Goda, the daughter of Aethelred The Unready. Today the village is a delightful collection of Georgian and Victorian buildings and shops surrounding a traditional village green and pond. Godstone Emporium is known as a shop for beautiful things for lovely people.

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Westerham - Settlements in the area date back to the Celtic and Roman times, the remains of an encampment close to the summit of Tower Woods.  The manor was originally run by Godwin, Earl of Wessex and later by his son Harold Godwinson the last Saxon King of England. The first Norman lord of Westerham was Eustace II of Boulogne, and the town appears in the Domesday Book as Oistreham.  By 1227 Henry III granted Westerham a market charter, making the new village a major player in the buying and selling of cattle in Kent, a tradition that survived to 1961 when the last cattle market was held. The town has connections with several famous figures which are represented with statues, General James Wolfe (Battle of the Plains of Abraham in Quebec, Canada, 1759).  Winston Churchill is also featured on the village green as his final home was at Chartwell, located nearby and well worth visiting.  A delightful deco antique shop is the The Design Gallery, Castle Antique Centre and Taylor-Smith which specialises in Churchill memorabilia.

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Sevenoaks - The town's name is derived from the Old English word "Seouenaca", the name given to a small chapel near seven oak trees on The Vine around AD 800.  Sevenoaks School, at the south end of High Street, is one of the oldest lay foundations in England. It was founded by William Sevenoke in 1432. Sevenoke, a foundling, had been brought up in the town. In later life he became a merchant and served as alderman, sheriff and Mayor of London. Founding the school and adjacent almshouses was his thanks to the town. In 1560 the school was granted letters patent by Queen Elizabeth I and became known as 'Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School'. It was "for the education of boys and youths in grammar and learning".  In 1456 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, purchased the Knole estate and built Knole House.  During the Great Storm of 1987, six of those trees were blown down. Their replacements, planted in a ceremony involving well-known people from television shows such as Blue Peter and locals such as Gloria Hunniford and Caron Keating, were vandalised, leaving the one mature tree standing. The trees have been replaced and eight Oak trees of varying ages line The Vine.  Antique shops take include Badgers Fine Antiques & Vintage Collectables and Ortford Antique.