Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower, Pointers Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1PQ

Details

Accessibility

https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/news-and-events/opendays/semaphore-tower-open-days-25/

"Paths to the tower take an incline up the hill and are uneven at times with a number of steps that may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. 

Semaphore Tower is a small building with a tight staircase so in order to keep visitors safe we will be limiting the number of people allowed in at one time; this could mean that if you arrive at a particularly busy time you may be asked to wait to gain entry.

We do all we can to enable access wherever possible; for further information or if you have any access concerns that you’d like to discuss before visiting, please contact our Booking Enquiries team on 01628 825925 or booking@landmarktrust.org.uk. The Booking Office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm."

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatley_Heath

2024: "Chatley Heath is part of a 336 hectares (1.3 sq mi) reserve including Wisley Common, Ockham and parts of Hatchford. It is an area consisting of mixed habitats including heathland, ancient woodland and conifer woodland.[1] On the top of Chatley Heath (formerly known as Breach Hill) is a tower built as part of the Royal Navy Semaphore line.

Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower:

The octagonal tower was built as part of the Admiralty semaphore chain which operated between 1822 and 1847. It is the best preserved remaining tower and has a working semaphore mast. It is 60 feet (18 m) high with five storeys topped by a parapet built of red brick. It was occupied until 1963, when it was condemned as unfit because of lack of services. It then suffered vandalism and was damaged by fire in 1984. Surrey County Council and the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust restored the tower to mark the centenary of the County Council.[2] However the condition of tower has more recently deteriorated, and it is again undergoing restoration, this time by the Landmark Trust who are converting it into self-catering holiday accommodation.[3][4] There will be public access on certain days when the restoration is complete.[5]

Its mid-long-distance access is the first exit immediately southwest of the Wisley Interchange of the A3, after meeting the M25 there. A roundabout at the interchange enables access from the Guildford direction. Local alternative access can also be obtained via East Clandon, East Horsley or Pointers Road in Cobham."

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/sites/visitor-information/wisley-and-ockham-commons

"Large site of mostly heathland spread across two commons near Woking "

2025: now available as self-catering holiday accommodation https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/semaphore-tower/#availability-&-booking

+ open days https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/news-and-events/opendays/semaphore-tower-open-days-25/

https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/semaphore-tower/#Overview

"Built in 1822, the Semaphore Tower is a unique survival. Commissioned in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo, it was once a cutting-edge building at the forefront of technology and is now a remarkable retreat in the heart of a nature reserve. Read in-depth about the restoration in our blog.

The only remaining semaphore tower in Britain 

A unique remnant from the Napoleonic era, this Grade II* listed brick structure is the only surviving semaphore tower in Britain. It was once a building at the forefront of technology and design, a vital link in a signalling chain that transmitted messages from Admiralty House in London to Portsmouth Docks in just a few minutes."

Address

Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower

Pointers Road

Cobham, Surrey

KT11 1PQ

Email

bookings@landmarktrust.org.uk

Phone

Booking Enquiries: 01628 825925 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Website

https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/semaphore-tower/#Overview

Directions

See our location map

2025: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/news-and-events/opendays/semaphore-tower-open-days-25/ "Please note there are major scheduled roadworks taking place on the M25 Juction 10/Wisley interchange that will affect your route. Last-minute closures may occur, please check the National Highways website: M25 junction 10 - National Highways

There is no parking at this building. Please use nearby 'Pond car park' KT11 1ND. More informationl on local parking can be found here: Wisley and Ockham Commons - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Ockham Common car parks are around 10-15 minutes walk to the Semaphore Tower. There are clearly marked paths from both car parks up the hill to the tower. Look out for red and blue 'Chatley Heath' markers along the paths."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

2025: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/news-and-events/opendays/semaphore-tower-open-days-25/

Transport

For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info

Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)

Amenities