Cranleigh is home to one of the country’s most extraordinary collections of architectural detail, gathered over a lifetime by Charles Brooking. Here he shares an update on recent acquisitions and visitors.
The last few months have seen some interesting developments and important acquisitions. In April the Royal Household kindly donated fire-grates from Buckingham Palace, one dating from c. 1828-35, the other c. 1905-10, part of King Edward VII’s improvements. They also donated an interesting 1870’s Gothic sash window from Windsor Castle. Another part of the donation included locks from Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Last week Alexander Sturrock’s joinery in Edinburgh generously delivered some arched sash windows from Inverness Castle, illustrating typical Scottish joinery details of the 1830’s to 1840’s, and they are setting aside more important examples for ‘The Brooking’ Museum which they will deliver.
Last Tuesday the owner of 38 Albury Street, Deptford, clearing the house of a relative prior to its sale completion, donated over 150 architectural books which Susan and I collected. It is a wonderful example of Queen Anne and early Georgian architecture, constructed c. 1710-1717, and is completely intact.
A visit from the Victorian Society
Today we hosted a very successful visit from the Victorian Society Summer School, based in Priory Gardens, Turnham Green, London. They firstly visited the 1880’s Woking Mosque, spending the afternoon in the teaching gallery here at Cranleigh looking at building details relevant to the Victorian period, including Woodyer pieces from Cranleigh School, George Gilbert Scott fire-grates from St. Pancras’ Station and cast-iron windows from Pennithorne’s Public Records Office in Chancery Lane, London, dating from 1854, amongst other things. They were also fascinated by the fire-grate with a counter-balanced blower to increase or reduce draught, hung on chains with weights and pulleys, from one of the smaller rooms at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, Queen Victoria’s residence.
During the question and answer session afterwards there were several queries as to the date of my house, more than one or two believing it to be Victorian or Edwardian! When I explained that it was built by a local builder, Victor Currier, for his family in 1961, there was a sharp intake of breath. I then explained that I have given the house something of a jokey, tongue-in-cheek ‘Arts and Crafts’ makeover in terms of the front elevation. Many of them took photographs and inspected the panels of stonework I had inserted.
“When I explained that my house was built by a local builder for his family in 1961, there was a sharp intake of breath.”
There are now two films of me talking in the collection on YouTube. One was posted by Stephen Bull of the Georgian Houses of London new estate agency, of which I am now their in-house historic buildings consultant. The second is a very professionally made video which is featured on the MyCranleigh website, charting my local Cranleigh ‘rescues’ over the last 30 years, including from the much-missed Regal cinema demolished around 2002-03.
Charles Brooking, Architectural Historian and Consultant. Telephone +44 (0)1483 274203, or visit www.cbah.uk.
This article first appeared in the August 2026 issue of Cranleigh Magazine. Pick up your free copy around the village, or read more at cranleighmagazine.co.uk.
