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
Under the Spotlight
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 benefits 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 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.
5 reasons we love… Cranleigh
- Gorgeous independent shops and restaurants
- Cranleigh Arts Centre at the heart of the village
- Traditional community celebrations
- Its rich, celebrated history
- The abundance of great British countryside
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 heritage points in the centre of the village, detailed on a map, starting at the Village Hospital cottage, at the eastern end of the high street, down to Stocklund Square, the site of the old railway station.
It is easy to be active in Cranleigh. The Downs Link, following the disused railway line, is a particularly enjoyable way for walkers, horse riders and cyclists to enjoy the countryside, and can be completed in stages. The impressive Guildford Spectrum Leisure Centre is also just up the road, with ice skating and bowling on offer alongside swimming, gym and fitness classes. Cranleigh’s own leisure centre is currently a work in progress and is due to be complete in spring 2027. Cranleigh Golf & Country Club is a great place to get a round of golf or two in, or head to The Retreat for a relaxing spa experience.
There are some great pubs in Cranleigh and the surrounding villages and hamlets, including The Three Horseshoes, which was voted CAMRA (East and Mid-Surrey) Pub of the Year 2024, and is everything a country pub should be, with wooden floors, nooks, crannies and beams and even an inglenook fireplace with a roaring fire in winter. For a village, Cranleigh also has an impressive array of quality restaurants, with food including Italian, Indian, Turkish and Thai. Local favourites include Yangaz Bistro Grill serving great quality Turkish food, and Malabar Indian restaurant. Louis Brown’s Brasserie – Surrey’s Gin and Tea Bar – is another local gem which will see you through from brunch to a sophisticated evening of cocktails.
Fact file
Average property price in Surrey (May 2025) – £524,546
Property breakdown*
Detached – £965,914
Semi-detached – £542,589
Terraced – £435,067
Flat – £286,081
*According to the Land Registry House Price Index
Famous Residents
• Actor Rupert Vansittart
• News presenter Anna Botting
• Actor, songwriter and screenwriter Richard O’Brien
• The Beatles legend Ringo Starr
• Cricketer Robin Lees
Homes on the market…
CRANLEIGH
SO Resi Cranleigh
FROM £28,750 – Based on a 10% share with a full market value of £287,500
If you long to live somewhere with beautiful landscapes of the Surrey Hills and escape the hustle and bustle of city life, but still be within easy reach of London, then SO Resi Cranleigh is for you. Nestled in the heart of the Surrey countryside, these contemporary Shared Ownership one and two bedroom apartments are designed with style and comfort in mind. Known as England’s largest village, Cranleigh has a thriving community and the development is only a short walk from the high street where you will find supermarkets, boutique independent shops, a pub, restaurants and cafes. Plus, the leisure centre, GP surgery and schools are all within easy reach.
Each apartment is expertly fitted out with fully integrated Zanussi appliances in the kitchen. The spacious open-plan layouts create a lovely natural flow between the kitchen and the living area, making it the perfect space to spend time after a busy day or entertain family and friends. Bedrooms are carpeted and the luxurious bathrooms and en suites are tiled and include a chrome ladder-style heated towel rail. The homes are double glazed throughout and also come with a video entry system and Grade LD2 fire detection systems for peace of mind. There is parking to all homes, electric vehicle charging spaces and digital lock cycle storage. There are also Juliet balconies to selected homes.
Surrounded by countryside and pretty little villages, Cranleigh is close to the bustling town of Guildford where you can be in central London in just 45 minutes – perfect for commuters. Gatwick airport is a 40-minute drive away.
For days out and about there are several popular cycle routes starting in the village. Knowle Park and Snoxhall Fields provide plenty of opportunities for walking and picnicking. Each month, Cranleigh Country Market offers a selection of artisan breads and pastries, local produce, wines and arts and crafts. All in all, SO Resi Cranleigh offers idyllic countryside living made affordable.
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