Cranleigh

It is thought that the large village of Cranleigh in the county of Surrey has long had a settlement, although it is not noted in the Domesday Book of 1085. By 1170 there was enough here to warrant the building of a church though and the Anglican parish church of St. Nicolas dates the first building on its site from around this time. Cranleigh is said by some to have been named for the craneries at two nearby estates, leading to the use of the crane as the village symbol that adorns monuments here. The surrounding countryside was of interest for hunting and hawking as well as supplying the timber which fuelled the ironworks that once thrived in the area; today this same lovely scenery is enjoyed by riders, walkers and cyclists and is home to a long distance bridleway.

Cranleigh offers good amenities and an excellent range of shops that provide for the people of smaller villages nearby as well as visitors and residents. There is plenty to enjoy in the town and surrounding countryside including wonderful historic buildings like the church with its gargoyle on a pillar inside that is said to have inspired Lewis Carroll, who lived in nearby Guildford, to create the Cheshire Cat. Cranleigh holds celebrations throughout the year with Spring into Cranleigh in May, the Cranleigh Carnival and Fun Day in June, the Cranleigh Show in August and Bonfire Night in November.