LOCATION
Always yearned for a simpler life, but used to urban conveniences? What if you could have your cake and eat it too? In an independent cafe. Surrounded by countryside. Well you can in Cranleigh Cranleigh HOT spot
1 Gorgeous independent shops and restaurants 2 Cranleigh Arts Centre at the heart of the village 3 Traditional community celebrations 4 Its rich, celebrated history 5 The abundance of great British countryside 5 REASONS WE LOVE… CRANLEIGH
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
There is always something happening in Cranleigh, from the Classic Car Show and Cranleigh Farm and Food Festival, both held at the Cranleigh Showground, to the Cranleigh Bonfire, which includes a funfair and a traditional torchlight procession down the high street to the bonfire on the common.There are also regular art exhibitions and events for children throughout the year, and even the occasional dog show! Community spirit is certainly alive and well here, and nowhere is that more evident than at Cranleigh Arts Centre. A registered charity, and formerly the local village school, Cranleigh Arts Centre offers an impressive range of community entertainment, from crafty classes and art exhibitions, to cinema, theatre, comedy nights and live music. The high street is also thriving, with a good balance of high street staples – think TG Jones, Boots, Superdrug, Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer, alongside independent shops and boutiques. Cranleigh’s Thursday market (open 7.30am- 2.30pm) is a welcome weekly addition. Favourite independent shops in the village include Eatons jewellers, My Best Friend’s Wardrobe, Surrey Hills Books and The Natural Life Shop. Head to Cook for an easy first meal on moving day! Residents are incentivised to shop locally through Destination Cranleigh’s Shop Local loyalty card scheme. Destination Cranleigh also has a fantastic heritage trail to help you get to know the area. Its family-friendly trail moves between 15
minutes from there. The village is also on a number of excellent bus routes serving Guildford, Horsham, Godalming and Ewhurst. For cyclists wanting to explore the best local routes, Cranleigh Cycling Club, established as a London 2012 legacy, is always keen to welcome new members. Cranleigh boasts a number of excellent schools and is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong community feel, so it is understandably popular with families. The village is full of quaint cottages and historic houses, but is also now home to considerately designed, affordable new build homes which have opened up the area to a growing population.
Cranleigh is a large village in Surrey (thought to be the largest in England) situated eight miles south east of Godalming. Conveniently located between Guildford and Horsham, this delightful small market town bene ts from both excellent local amenities and spectacular countryside. In fact, nestled between the Surrey Hills – a designated area of outstanding natural beauty – and the Weald of Sussex, this picture-perfect setting is hard to beat. Once an isolated rural community, "Cranley" grew in popularity with the opening of the Wey and Arun Canal in 1813, and continued to grow throughout the 19th century. The village was renamed Cranleigh in 1867 at the request of the Postmaster General, who had become frustrated by the constant confusion between the village and nearby Crawley, West Sussex! The mid-1860s also saw the introduction of the Horsham to Guildford railway and Cranleigh was the busiest station on the line. However, the line was axed almost a century later, in 1965, and the station demolished.
Thankfully, commuters can still easily access the capital today. Cranleigh is conveniently located less than 15 minutes from Guildford and trains to London Waterloo take just 35
42 First Time Buyer October/November 2025
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker