Godalming Museum
Free museum on Godalming High Street covering local history, the Arts and Crafts movement and the Titanic wireless operator Jack Phillips.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Godalming Museum presents the history of the Surrey town and its surroundings from the Stone Age to the present day. It occupies a historic building on the High Street, opposite the Pepperpot, with galleries spread over two and a half floors and a garden behind. Entry is free.
The permanent displays include an Arts and Crafts gallery on the garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and the architect Edwin Lutyens, with a suffrage banner designed by Jekyll, and a Living Landscape gallery on the natural and local environment. The Local History gallery shows objects and stories from the town's past.
A recently refurbished gallery tells the story of Jack Phillips, the young telegraph operator on the Titanic who sent distress calls that helped save hundreds of lives. A further display covers Witley Camp during the two world wars. The museum also has a local studies library for booked research visits, a temporary exhibition gallery that local artists can hire, and a programme of talks and events.
Highlights
- Jack Phillips Gallery on the Titanic wireless operator
- Arts and Crafts gallery on Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens
- Suffrage banner designed by Gertrude Jekyll
- Display on Witley Camp in the two world wars
- Free entry and a museum garden
Permanent exhibitions
- Jack Phillips Gallery – The refurbished gallery tells the story of the young telegraph operator on the Titanic and his role in saving lives.
- Arts and Crafts Gallery – The work of Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, including a suffrage banner designed by Jekyll.
- Local History Gallery – Objects and stories reflecting Godalming's distinctive past, from prehistory to today.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free entry. Some lectures and talks are ticketed (for example £10).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ground floor has ramped access from the High Street and an accessible toilet with baby changing. The first floor is reached by stairs only. From the South Street car park the route through the museum garden includes steps.
Kids & families
- Baby changing facilities
Baby changing is available in the ground-floor accessible toilet.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Godalming station · 5-min walk
About a 5-minute walk from Godalming station. Regular buses run to the town centre from Guildford and Haslemere.
By car
Parking available
South Street car park (GU7 1AJ) is directly behind the museum; the route from it passes through the museum garden and includes steps.
The museum is on the High Street opposite the Pepperpot, next to the Town Council offices.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop. Water is available on request.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The ground-floor Temporary Exhibition Gallery can be hired by local artists, photographers and makers for a small fee for 2 to 8 weeks (20 percent commission on sales). The garden can be hired for private events by arrangement.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group and school visits are offered. Research visits to the local studies library must be booked. |
