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This site was produced by: LOCAL
AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
Publishers for local authorities throughout Great Britain. View
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Situated halfway between Guildford and Horsham with the Surrey
Hills to the north, Cranleigh is regarded by many as England’s
largest village, and by others as a small attractive Wealden market
town, with a village atmosphere. The visitor approaching from the
direction of Guildford is first struck by the wide open Common,
the pleasant tree-lined cricket green and the row of maples which
continually change with the passing seasons.
The road to the left winds its way to Cranleigh School, a centre
for learning which has enjoyed its association with the village
since 1865. The fountain on the edge of the green was given to the
village in commemoration of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
by the scholars of the school. At the end of the common stands the
war memorial, symbolically looking back to the tranquil common,
a reminder of the village’s agricultural past, and at the
same time facing the bustling village centre with its modern shops
and the inevitable motor cars.
Cranleigh is proud of its heritage but it also embraces the new.
This is particularly evident where the Victorian frontage of Bank
Buildings sits in harmony with the newly developed Stocklund Square,
built to replace the old railway station buildings, which contributed
so much to the growth and prosperity of the village for over a hundred
years. The only reminder of their former existence are the old platform
levels at the rear of the shops. The former track is now much used
by walkers and forms part of the Downs Link.

Most of the buildings of any antiquity are to be found on the north
side of the High Street and the gables of Ivy Hall Farmhouse can
still be seen behind the shop fronts added at the turn of the century.
The Onslow Arms is one of four inns in the village, the others being
the Cranley Hotel, the Three Horseshoes, and the White Hart. Visitors
and residents alike are able to take advantage of the range of cafes
and restaurants catering for all tastes, available in the village.
David Manns has provided ironmongery, tools, furniture and electrical
goods to the village for over a century. It remains in private hands
and Cranleigh prides itself in offering a balance of shops, from
small individual concerns to national chains and major supermarkets.
Cromwell Cottage and Oliver House are named to commemorate the Protector
in 1657 who visited the Onslow family of Knowle and billeted his
troops in the village.
The Church dedicated to St Nicolas has stood on its present site
since 1170 during which time it has been a centre for both spiritual
and secular gatherings in the village. It is no accident that some
of our finest buildings such as Little Manor, Belwethers and The
Causey were built in close proximity to the church. The present
Rectory is in fact the fourth building to serve this purpose, the
Victorian building designed by architect Henry Woodyer is now put
to good use as a residence for senior citizens.
The lower end of the High Street is dominated by another of the
village’s unique monuments namely the Obelisk. Constructed
early in the 19th century to mark the opening of the turnpike road
it was financed by Dr John Ellery the local surgeon who lived at
nearby Broadoak. The mileage indicator reminds us that Cranleigh
lies equidistant between Windsor and Brighton and legend has it
that the Prince Regent, later George IV, passed this way on his
travels between the two royal palaces.
The local petrol filling station is home to one of the village’s
oldest buildings. Little Manor is thought to date from c.1450 and
was obscured from view for most of the 20th century until the buildings
fronting the road were demolished to provide space for the present
facilities. After much discussion between conservationists and the
present owners, a compromise was reached whereby the timber framed
building was used as the shop and offices for the garage. It now
remains as an outstanding example of the importance the village
attaches to preserving its heritage.
The Cranleigh Village Hospital was founded in 1859 and, whilst its
claim to be the first is challenged elsewhere, it is certainly the
longest surviving institution of its kind. The hospital grew to
accommodate 14 beds, a busy day hospital, therapy departments and
a wide range of Consultant led out patient services. Currently the
14 beds and the day hospital are closed as an urgent and temporary
measure due to financial pressures on the local NHS.
The League of Friends actively supports the hospital. Planning permission
has been granted and funds collected to build a new hospital on
donated land in the village. The project is led by Cranleigh Village
Hospital Trust in partnership with the Parish Council and the League
of Friends. A decision on the way forward will shortly be made by
the new, Surrey Primary Care Trust as part of the Surrey wide consultation
on NHS services. Meanwhile the hospital continues to provide a range
of valued services to the community.

The Leisure Centre in Village Way has sports facilities, a fitness
suite and swimming pools for both adults and children. At the rear
of the Leisure Centre is a Skateboard Park which is very popular
throughout the year.
The Parish Council run tennis courts have recently been resurfaced
and are used by members of the public and the newly formed Cranleigh
Tennis Club. These can be booked through the Leisure Centre.
Snoxhall Fields provides recreational facilities for the whole of
Cranleigh to enjoy and includes a Childrens playground, allotments
and a conservation area. The fields are host to cricket in the summer
and both senior and junior football in the winter.
The Village Hall provides a superb facility for a wide range of
events throughout the year such as exhibitions, fashion shows, dances,
sales and other functions.
Cranleigh can be proud of its health care, leisure, arts and sports
facilities and most of all, its community spirit which lives up
to its reputation that “Cranleigh Cares”: a fitting
motto for the village
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Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication
and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct,
the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any
inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any
format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photograph acknowledgments:
Pictures supplied by R Ainsworth, M. Miller, S. Whitehead and E.
Whitehead.
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