Moira MacQuaide’s history of Burpham

As we’re now into the winter season, let’s look at the history of the Winterhill estate. The first mention of a similar name was in 1276 when Adam le Dispenser gave Burgham Manor to William de Wintershull and his wife.

Could that have been the origin of the name of the farm? The family were Lords of the Manor of Burpham for over 200 years. The first time that Winterhill Farm appeared on a map was in 1823, marked as Winter Hill Bottom. The Tithe Map of 1838 showed the extent of the farmland, from almost opposite the Sutton Place Lodge gates (now on the A3) in the north, down to New Inn Lane in the south. Bordered by London Road on one side and Merrow Parish on the other. The land was owned by Lord Onslow and occupied by William Smallpiece, apart from one small plot occupied by the Rev. George Bethell, who was Rector of Worplesdon Parish. The farmhouse, which is believed to have been demolished after World War II, was located where Oak Tree Close is now. Does anyone have a photo of the farmhouse?

On the Tithe Map of 1838, there were two fields and a wood with the name Upfolds – now Upfolds Green, off Glendale Drive. On the 1895 and 1912 OS maps, the bottom right-hand corner of the farmland has become Brick Fields, with two kilns, sheds and offices. The maps show a pond there, currently hidden behind trees at the corner of New Inn Lane and Merrow Lane. The brick works seemed to cease business around the time of World War I. The 1912 OS map showed the bottom left-hand side of the farmland as orchard, and records show that Hugh Lancelot Robson ran the Guildford Fruit Farm there (previous article about this in March 2024). The orchard didn’t appear in the Tithe Map of 1838, so must have been planted in later years.

The farmland was sold for housing development, first advertised by Armstrongs Estates Ltd in 1934. Described as ‘Charming’, prices ranged from £700 to £950, and buyers could choose from seven designs. The Guildford City Outlook magazine in 1934 said “Delay not, or you may be too late!” in their advert for the estate. Orchard Road, Winterhill Way, Briar Way and Hawthorne Way were built first, then Great Oaks Park, linking Gosden Hill Road with London Road. In 1935 the Glendale Estate was advertised which “enjoys most delightful surroundings amidst a background of fine trees”.

Winterhill Farm was still, in parts, a working dairy farm until around 1934, but then development took over and now the only green space is Upfolds Green.

If you are willing to share your memories and/or photos to tell us more about Burpham then please contact Moira MacQuaide, either by e-mail (moira.macquaide@gmail.com) or by phone or text (07963 756543). My book, Burpham – A Gateway to Guildford is still available from me for £10 (free delivery locally) or on Amazon, but the History of Burpham Primary School 1908-2014 is now out of print (available to borrow at Guildford Library).