Godalming and Ash

Godalming and Ash is a mostly rural constituency located in Surrey. Most of the constituency lies within the Surrey Hills National Landscape, part of the North Downs range of chalk hills. The constituency's only town is Godalming, which has a population of around 25,000.^[4] Godalming is an affluent market town with a history of rural industry including textile manufacturing and hide tanning. The town is served by two train stations which connect it to London and Portsmouth. Other settlements in the constituency include the villages of Ash, Cranleigh, Ash Vale, Shalford and Bramley. The constituency has low levels of deprivation and the average house price is nearly double the national average.^[5]

In general, residents of the constituency are older, well-educated and likely to work in professional occupations compared to the rest of the country. The average household income is very high. White people made up 94% of the population at the 2021 census.^[5] At the local council level, Godalming, Ash and Cranleigh are mostly represented by Liberal Democrats whilst the other villages and rural areas primarily elected Conservatives. An estimated 54% of voters in the constituency supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, higher than the nationwide figure of 48%.^[5]

2024–present:

• The Borough of Guildford wards of Ash South, Ash Vale, Ash Wharf, Pilgrims, Shalford, and Tillingbourne.

• The Borough of Waverley wards of Alfold, Dunsfold & Hascombe, Bramley & Wonersh, Chiddingfold, Cranleigh East, Cranleigh West, Elstead & Peper Harow, Ewhurst & Ellens Green (part), Godalming Binscombe & Charterhouse, Godalming Central & Ockford, Godalming Farncombe & Catteshall, Godalming Holloway, Milford & Witley, and Western Commons (part).^[6]

The seat comprises the following areas:^[6]

• In the Borough of Waverley:

• • Godalming and rural areas to the south, transferred from South West Surrey (succeeded by Farnham and Bordon)
  • Parts previously in the constituency of Guildford (except Ewhurst ward) – including the village of Cranleigh

• In the Borough of Guildford:

• • The communities of Ash and Ash Vale transferred from Surrey Heath
  • Shalford and Pilgrims wards, transferred from Guildford
  • Tillingbourne ward, transferred from Mole Valley (renamed Dorking and Horley)

Parts of South West Surrey, Guildford and Surrey Heath (and the Tillingbourne ward of Mole Valley) prior to 2024

• Parliamentary constituencies in Surrey
• List of parliamentary constituencies in the South East England (region)