Abinger Common is best understood through its history: a Mesolithic pit dwelling, an early Norman motte, Abinger Manor, St James’ Church and the War Memorial represent very different periods. Walks and a local fair tradition are also part of the picture. For your planning, it helps to put the sites and events in chronological context: they range from early settlement to events of the 20th century.
Church, landscape and war memorial
St James’ Church in Abinger was dedicated to St James in the 13th century; its Norman chancel also dates from that period. The church stands on an almost level terrace of sandy ground above the Tillingbourne Valley. Several roads and paths meet there. The building’s history and its distinctive position above the valley are therefore both part of what defines this place. In 1944, the church was almost completely destroyed by an air bomb; no one was injured.
The Abinger Common War Memorial is a monument to the First World War designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. A stone sword is mounted on its west side. It is the only one of Lutyens’ War Crosses to feature this element, a distinctive detail of its design. After being destroyed by an air bomb in 1944, the memorial was rebuilt in 1949.
Early settlement and medieval traces
The motte near Abinger Manor is a Scheduled Monument from the early Norman period, dating to approximately 1100 to 1150. Excavations showed that a wooden watchtower stood there in the first half of the 12th century, surrounded by a palisade. The motte was the site of the first modern-style excavation of this type of structure. Abinger Manor itself is a Grade II listed building.
South-west of Abinger Manor lies the Mesolithic pit dwelling, a rare and significant site of human settlement. It is one of the oldest known and preserved human-built dwellings in Britain. The excavated site is preserved in a purpose-built modern hut. Compared with the motte, it offers a glimpse of a much earlier stage in the history of settlement: the motte points to the early Norman period, while the pit dwelling dates to the Mesolithic.
Walks and fair tradition
Abinger Common Green is used for walking and other leisure activities. The Friday Street hammer trail is a self-guided walking route that leads to Abinger Common and its church. For planning your day, these offer different points of reference: the Green is a place for walks and leisure, while the trail is a named route with a specific destination.
The Old Fair of Abinger began in 1956 and has been held annually ever since, except in 2020 and 2021. It is worth checking the specific fair dates before your trip. Church fairs in Abinger probably took place centuries ago. They served as places for people to gather, trade livestock and celebrate in high spirits.
Find a holiday rental to suit your trip
If you are looking for a holiday rental in Abinger Common, first consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on local history, traces of early settlement or walks. Then check whether the location and facilities of the specific accommodation suit your plans.
Discover more destinations: Chiddingfold, Woking, Thorpe, Shepperton, Capel, Cobham, Bookham, Godstone
For the broader travel overview: Surrey.
