Lower Hammonds Farm

This Grade II listed farmhouse is one of the oldest in West Horsley, with the official list citing its early 16^th Century origin for the core building. In fact, the open hall of Lower Hammonds Farm was dendrochronology dated to 1448, and the parlour wing to 1457.

The open hall and parlour both have crown post roofs. The open hall was floored over, possibly in the early 17^th century, when a brick chimney and hearth were installed.  At the solar end of the building, there is evidence of a ‘garderobe’, which gives the house some status. The northern end of the house was rebuilt, probably as a result of a fire, during the 18^th century.

This farm was located on an ancient landholding going back perhaps to the 13^th Century. Then it was owned by a family called ‘Smart’ who died out during the Black Death of 1348, although the house was still being called ‘Smarts’ until 1668.

The owner at that time was a John Redford who gave the land and house as a dowry to his daughter, Anne, when she married John Hammond of nearby Rectory Farm. Accordingly, Smarts became known as Lower Hammonds Farm, whilst John Hammond’s former residence became Upper Hammonds Farm – both are names which continue in use to this day.

LOCATION: The west side of Ripley Lane a short distance south of the railway bridge.