Semaphore House on Pewley Hill is the site of an Admiralty semaphore station that was once part of an important naval communication route.
The semaphore station at Pewley Hill was built in 1822 to form part of the London-Portsmouth semaphore line. This line was used to send messages and the 1 o'clock time signal between London and Portsmouth (the UK’s main channel naval port). The semaphore line comprised 13 stations each about five miles apart. Pewley received its signals from the tower on Chatley Heath which still stands today near the M25. Semaphore was much quicker than relying on messages being sent by a galloping horse!
The semaphore building on Pewley Hill remains but has a distinctive cupola that was added on top after the semaphore went out of use in 1847. The building is now a Grade II listed private home situated at the junction of Pewley Hill and - the appropriately named - Semaphore Road.
Seeing this historical site is inspiring and is a highlight of walking across Guildford. One can appreciate from the open views nearby why this elevated site was chosen for a semaphore station!