This film is part of Free

Surrey Symphony

A picturesque look at the attractions in Surrey, including Kew Gardens, Wimbledon and Guildford

Amateur film 1949 11 mins

Overview

A seasonal film tour of Surrey, featuring Richmond, Guildford and Wimbledon. The film wanders through the tranquil Kew Gardens at first blossom of spring, followed by the men's singles final at Wimbledon with Queen Mary and the Duke of Edinburgh in attendance. Guilford Castle, and Abbots Hospital are among the other attractions before we finish our journey at the Virginia Water Lake in full autumnal bloom.

The tour of Kew Gardens features the ornamental 'Chinese Pagoda', also known as the Great Pagoda. Further exploration of Richmond takes in watercolour painters at Richmond Hill and the Star and Garter Hotel. On centre court at Wimbledon we see Ted Schroeder defeated by Jaroslav Drobný in the 1949 men's singles final. In Guildford the Town Hall and its ceremonial balcony announce the start of the Surrey Agricultural Show. Before heading to Virginia Water Lake, two pubs are featured - Chiddingfold's Crown Inn and Witley's White Heart Inn. Matthew Nathan was a prolific amateur filmmaker, who created many travelogues around the UK and abroad; his earlier film, A Sussex Symphony (1947) also appears on BFI Player.