Cranleigh Cottage Hospital – April 2026 Update – A change of brand name: Napper Centre
by Trevor Dale
It has become apparent that many people are confusing ‘our’ heritage cottage with the working NHS Village Hospital in more ways than one.
When we have asked for memories of the old cottage, people have talked of having tonsils removed and other minor procedures. But they would all have been performed in the newer Victorian extensions unless residents are 120 years old! The cottage ceased catering for medical treatment in around 1903 and then became the rest and recreation area for staff. The Trustees and advisors of the project have decided to rebrand, selecting the name of Dr Napper who founded the original hospital principle in our medieval cottage.
We need to establish a unique identity, and we believe ‘Napper Centre’ will provide exactly that.
Progress is still on track though the temporary roof covering is still in place as I write. Most of the tiling is complete but the decision about which new tiles to use has delayed us. The interior is currently fascinating in that the origin, lath and plaster construction is visible.
The staircase is rebuilt, with the lower treads’ direction changed and the topmost rise now straightened to make them significantly safer. These steps were relatively recently modified in 1936, as evidenced by a tattered newspaper found underneath!
We have just received the revised heritage survey which examines in detail, all the later modifications to the cottage. It is of course an extensive document, which brings together the evidence we have amassed from many sources. Much detailed comment has kindly been contributed by local heritage expert, Charles Brooking. It divides the chronology into distinct periods. Period A refers to the original construction of c 1446. Period B is early 17th century. Further changes were made in Period C – early 18th century, in Period D – mid-later 18th century to early 19th century and finally Period E – post 1858 and associated with the coming of the first cottage hospital in England.
The rooms where people remember having treatment, were added behind the cottage in 1903 and form a currently unused section. The League of Friends of Cranleigh Hospital are seeking to locate further treatment options right here.
About 2 years ago in conjunction with Cranleigh History Society, we paid for a documentary search which revealed, amongst other things, Hearth tax records dating to this period. In fact the first documentary evidence found so far. Hearth taxes were levied in 1662 by Charles II to fund the government of the day and were distinctly unpopular. Especially since the occupier was taxed, not the landlord.
The tax records refer to more than one dwelling and we believe this to be the Rectory which tends to confirm the church owned the cottage at this time, as we believed.
The report goes on to detail the internal changes from an open bay hall house to a partitioned house, now with separate rooms and a consistent upper floor and therefore a staircase. Three fireplaces are part of this change and hence the massive chimney at the rear.
All of this detail is being compiled and recorded for posterity in the Historical Environment Record with Surrey County Council records.
FURTHER SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT
Several fresh volunteers have joined the Cranleigh Heritage Trust team, helping plan the future uses and develop our plan to benefit as much of the community as possible. We are actively seeking new members to join the team now that we have a live project. If you believe you have skills and time to use them that would be helpful to a heritage project, please get in touch.
To get in touch email the at team@cranleighheritage trust.org.uk
To register an expression of interest in future use of the facilities please write to us with the following information:
1. Brief description of what you offer and the benefits to clients and customers.
2. Say if and where you currently offer this service and why people would use the cottage to meet you.
3. Brief declaration of support for the project in general.
4. Return name and address and any website or social media links.
Thank you so much!
Trustees Trevor Dale – Chair; Howard Barratt; Jane Briggs; Chris Bulley; Sue Dale; Nigel West. Advisors Bob Callard – architect; Joanna James – business advisor, Michael Miller and Joy Horn, history advisors.
Visit our website www.cranleighheritagetrust.org.uk
