River Tillingbourne

The River Tillingbourne flows along the south side of the North Downs in Surrey, joining the River Wey at Shalford. Its source lies a mile south of Tilling Springs near Leith Hill, a semi-natural uninhabited area on sandstone bedrock. The river runs through villages including Friday Street, Abinger Hammer, Gomshall, Shere, Albury and Chilworth. It measures 24 kilometres in length and is classified as a subsequent stream. Four tributaries feed into it: the Friday Street stream, the Holmbury St Mary stream, the Sherbourne Brook and the Law Brook. The river’s valley was a major industrial area from the 17th to the mid-20th century. Over 24 mill sites once operated along its course, producing gunpowder, paper for banknotes, ironware, wire, cloth and flour. The East India Company set up gunpowder mills at Chilworth in 1626. John Evelyn noted the variety of mills in 1676, while William Cobbett criticised their uses. Today the river supports a trout farm, watercress beds, reed beds and a gin distillery. The Albury estate manages recreational fisheries at three sites along the river. The Tillingbourne supports wild brown trout and coarse fish, with efforts to improve their habitat. The river and its surroundings are studied by students from nearby field centres. Victorian painter Lewis Pinhorn Wood lived in Shere and painted scenes along the banks. Notable features include Tillingbourne Waterfall, Newlands Corner with its panoramic views, Silent Pool and St Martha’s Hill. The river’s natural course has been slightly altered at the Albury estate.