Godalming Museum will partly reopen on Monday, 17th August, with a fascinating exhibition about the Saxon cemetery excavated in the town in 2014.

Godalming's Secret Cemetery will tell the story of the burial place, which was unearthed at a site a stone's throw from the church. Archeologists carried out two digs: on the site of what is now Priory Orchard, and in the Mint Street car park.

Investigations have established that the cemetery was in use from the ninth to the 12th centuries and was the last resting place of at least 1,500 people.

The exhibition will also detail the result of investigations carried out by scientists at the University of Roehampton on artifacts and human remains found at the two dig sites.

"Visitors will be able to find out what this unique archaeological site has to tell us about Godalming's first inhabitants and their world," said a museum spokesman.

The exhibition will be open on Mondays and Fridays only, between 10.30am and 4.30pm. Visitors will have to book a slot in advance, and will be allowed one hour to view the displays. Visits from 17th August to 4th September are reserved for the museum's volunteers, patrons and Friends of Godalming Museum; members of the public will be able to book a visit from 4th September onwards. Museum staff have adapted to meet Government coronavius guidelines: the coffee shop will be closed but there will be a limited range of gifts in the museum shop. Visitor numbers will be limited, and there will be a pre-planned route around the gallery and shop, systems to help maintain social distancing and extra cleaning of public areas before opening each. Visitors will be required to wear face coverings while inside the building, and staff will wear visors. The booking line opens on 3rd August: call 01483 426510 between 10am and 1pm.