Peper Harow

Peper Harow is a tiny village in south-west Surrey close to the town of Godalming.

The whole village is privately owned and access is restricted. The name "Peper Harow" is very unusual and comes from Old English Pipers Hearg meaning, approximately "Pagan Temple".

Peper Harrow appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as Pipereherge. It was held by Girard (Gerard) from Walter, son of Othere. Its domesday assets were: 3 hides. It had 3 ploughs, 1 mill worth 15s, 7 acres (28,000 m2) of meadow. It rendered £5.

In the graveyard of St. Nicholas's Church (dating to 1301) is an ancient yew tree which has been dated to at least 1,500 years old and is probably older still. It could stand on the site of the old pagan temple or it could even be the old pagan temple as trees were venerated in those times by the Saxons. Close to Peper Harrow at Bonville Hanger Wood is a Holy well called Bonfield Spring that is also thought to have held pre-Christian religious significance.

St. Nicholas's church was almost destroyed by fire in December 2007 . The yew was unharmed and the church is currently being restored.

Cricket has long been played here, with evidence of rules and matches dating to 1727. During the Second World War, Peper Harow was used as a holding area for Canadian Forces. The park is occasionally used for point-to-point horse racing.