Chertsey: Discover History, the Thames and Nature

Chertsey combines an impressive history with a wooded hill, the banks of the Thames and a variety of paths. Those planning a trip with different interests will find historic buildings, traces of a medieval abbey, a diverse museum and landscapes suitable for walks or longer excursions. When looking for holiday accommodation in Chertsey, you can therefore consider whether culture, nature or a combination of the two should be the focus of your trip.

Historic traces around Chertsey

One prominent landmark is Chertsey Bridge. The multi-span bridge was designed by James Paine and built between 1783 and 1785. Its very well-preserved stonework and cast-iron elements make it an illustrative example of late 18th-century bridge construction.

Chertsey Abbey represents an even earlier era. The abbey is considered a comparatively well-preserved example of an early monastic foundation. Of the church, cloisters and ranges of buildings, the floor and walls of the Lady Chapel are visible today. The Abbey Ditch marks the boundary between the former abbey precinct and the town of Chertsey. After Henry VI was buried at Chertsey Abbey in 1471, the abbey became a pilgrimage destination until his body was transferred to Windsor.

Further historical details can be found in St Peter's Church: the chancel contains a collection of paving tiles from Chertsey Abbey. The Chertsey Curfew Bell also tells a long story. It was cast around 1310, recast after being damaged in 1374 and now rings as bell number 5 in St Peter's Church.

Museum, fashion and special collections

Chertsey Museum complements the historical impressions with a cultural-historical perspective. It houses more than 4,000 fashionable garments for men, women and children dating from around 1700 to the present day. A new clothing exhibition is arranged in the fashion gallery each year. This makes a visit to the museum particularly interesting for travellers who want to learn about history not only through buildings, but also through clothing and everyday culture.

For travel by train, trains from Waterloo reach Chertsey via Staines or Weybridge; it is then a 10-minute walk to Chertsey Museum. This specific connection can be taken into account when planning accommodation and your daily itinerary.

Woodland, the Thames and walking routes

St Ann's Hill is a predominantly wooded park on a hill covering an area of 25 hectares (63 acres). In addition to its dense woodland, the site is characterised by a great variety of trees, plants and wildflowers. At the same time, St Ann's Hill is a nationally significant archaeological site; large parts of the hill have the status of a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Nature and archaeology can therefore be viewed here as two different aspects of the same destination.

Chertsey Meads offers a different landscape: the open remaining area of flood meadow lies on the banks of the Thames, beside local schools and residential areas. Those who prefer longer routes can include the Chertsey-to-Weybridge Trail in their plans. The 4-mile circular route follows the Thames Path from Chertsey Bridge to Shepperton Lock, crosses by ferry to Weybridge and returns through Chertsey Meads. This gives travellers a choice of both historic stops and a clearly defined walking experience.

Chertsey as a base for your trip

The right holiday apartment or holiday home in Chertsey can be sensibly chosen according to your preferred pace of travel: culture enthusiasts can focus on the bridge, abbey, church and museum, while nature lovers can include St Ann's Hill, Chertsey Meads and the circular route along the water. For families with children, the museum's garments also offer an engaging introduction to earlier ways of life. As you continue planning, compare which of these experiences should shape your days, and use Chertsey as a base for a trip combining history, landscape and the Thames.

For a comparison of other destinations, you can also include Farnham, Cranleigh, West Molesey, Horley, Frimley, Pirbright, Redhill and Shepperton in your search.

For the broader travel overview: Surrey.