THE PEPPERPOT: GODALMING'S LITTLE GIANT WITH A BIG STORY
HISTORY OF THE PEPPERPOT
If buildings could talk, The Pepperpot would have a few things to say – and no doubt, it would say them with a wry grin and a knowing wink!
Born from Pride (and a Tight Budget)
In 1814, on land where Godalming’s governance had pulsed for over a thousand years, the townsfolk decided they needed a new seat of power. But in true no-nonsense style, they didn’t splash the cash. For a mere £865, six shillings and eight pence (roughly £60,000 in today’s funny money), The Pepperpot was born; a proud little town hall, cheap but characterful, standing tall in the centre of town. It was a humble, brick-and-mortar declaration of the town’s independence – sturdy, slightly eccentric, and impossible to ignore.
A Building of Many Hats
The Pepperpot has never been a building to sit idle. Over the centuries, it has served as:
- A Council Chamber (where big decisions were made),
- A court (where stern faces judged misdemeanours),
- A lock-up prison (where wrongdoers cooled their hells),
- A public toilet (not its finest hour),
- A florist,
- And even the first home of the Godalming Museum.
Today, it still plays host to lively markets beneath its arches and community meetings upstairs – a true working relic.
Further Information
The Pepperpot, Godalming c.1814
Photo courtesy of Darren Pepe 2016
Theatrical Fame and Damsels in the Dark
When Godalming lit its streets with electricity in 1881 (becoming the first town in the world to do so), The Graphic described the newly illuminated Pepperpot as looking so theatrical “one almost expects a bevy of fair damsels to dance across the street while a villain lurks in the shadows.” A more poetic review of municipal lighting has probably never been written.
Brushes with Death (and a Queen’s Jubilee)
Despite its charm, The Pepperpot has had more close shaves than a Victorian barber’s chair. In 1897, during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, it was nearly demolished for a new building. Again, in 1908 and 1913, traffic schemes eyed it up as an “unsightly obstacle.” Yet somehow, stubborn civic price – and perhaps a little local love – always won out.
Saved by Character
As Godalming’s famous resident garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll, put it: “Although not exactly beautiful… it does have that precious quality of character.”
That character – scrappy, proud and entirely unique – has seen The Pepperpot weather wars, fashion trends and architectural fads alike. It even got a little pampering during its 2009-10 restoration, thanks to Hollywood (proceeds from filming The Holiday helped regild its weather vane – yes really).
Scaffold, Rotten Timber, and a New Chapter
Today, as residents see The Pepperpot clad in scaffolding, it’s not a sign of decline, but of determined stewardship.
Godalming Town Council is once again stepping up to protect this proud piece of our town’s heritage. Essential repairs are underway to tackle rotten timber threatening the elegant cupola – the very ‘pot’ that give The Pepperpot its name and iconic silhouette. Godalming Town Council is committed to keeping residents informed as we write the next chapter in The Pepperpot’s long and colourful story, ensuring it remains standing tall for generations to come.
Still the Heart of the Town
Even now, The Pepperpot stands firm at the heart of Godalming, a pint-sized powerhouse of history and spirit. In 2023, it once again became the scene of national importance, hosting the local proclamation of the ascent of King Charles III – proof that, when duty calls, The Pepperpot is still very much the town’s beating heart.