We have done it. We have saved the first Cottage Hospital in England and created a community hub, and it is now open for business.
Six years ago a group of volunteers started work on saving the 15th century cottage on Cranleigh High Street which, in 1859, had become the first Cottage Hospital in England. Local people could get free treatment where they lived, and donors gave cash and goods for patient care. The number one donation was red wine, which was used to numb the pain during operations and to speed recovery.
The building was last used in 2007 by hospital staff as a dining room, after which it was used for storage. In the early 20th century the Village Hospital opened behind the Cottage Hospital, and is still used today as an NHS hospital serving the community.
Who paid for it
The renovation started in December 2025 using local builders, Rhodes Brothers, and it has been primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Over a quarter of the population play the lottery each month and this revenue is used to fund heritage projects across the UK, so a big thank you to all lottery players. A big thank you as well to all those organisations and individuals who also helped with funding of the project.
We have now called our project the Napper Centre after Dr Napper, who was the first doctor at the hospital. He believed passionately that small local hospitals should be accessible to all regardless of financial status. His vision was simple but revolutionary.
What we have achieved
We have created a community hub supporting health, wellbeing, heritage and learning for the community of Cranleigh.
The Napper Centre will offer flexible spaces to hire for a variety of activities, from exercise classes to counselling sessions. All rooms have been sensitively modernised and keep their original character.
We have also been working with local schools, who are very enthusiastic, as the building sits at the heart of the Cranleigh story, making it an ideal venue to bring the National Curriculum to life.
“We have saved the first Cottage Hospital in England and created a community hub.”
Please come and visit us and step back in time to 1863, when the railway line was being constructed. Explore the history of the first Cottage Hospital, and step inside the upstairs Victorian operating room where surgery took place.
Dates for your diary: Heritage Open Days
The Napper Centre and St Nicholas Church will be open to the public:
- Saturday 12th September, 10am to 4pm
- Sunday 13th September, 10am to 1pm
The Napper Centre will showcase its history and heritage during the open days. This is the first time the building has been open to the public.
St Nicholas Church, the oldest building in Cranleigh, dating from 1170, will also be open, and you will have the opportunity to explore the architecture and heritage of this Grade II* listed building.
For more information, visit heritageopendays.org.uk and search for Cranleigh.
This article first appeared in the September 2026 issue of Cranleigh Magazine. Pick up your free copy around the village, or read more at cranleighmagazine.co.uk.
