Bookham comprises the twin villages of Great Bookham and Little Bookham, separated by barely half a mile but united by shared Saxon origins – the name derives from ‘Bocham’, meaning ‘the village by the beeches’. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, this historic settlement has evolved from agricultural roots into one of Surrey’s most desirable residential areas whilst retaining much of its original character.

Great Bookham centres around its bustling high street, lined with independent shops, traditional pubs and family-run businesses that give the village its distinctive identity. The area benefits from excellent educational provision, with Great Bookham School recently rated Outstanding in four out of five areas by Ofsted and ranked eighth best-performing school in Surrey. This academic excellence, combined with the highly regarded Howard of Effingham School nearby, makes the area particularly popular with families.

As you might expect from a well-connected Surrey village, Bookham offers excellent transport links making it popular with commuters and families alike.

Car & Road: Bookham sits conveniently on the A246, providing direct routes between Leatherhead (4 miles) and Guildford (8 miles). The M25 motorway is easily reached via Junction 9, placing London just 45 mins away by car. The A3 is also nearby, offering swift connections to Portsmouth and the south coast in under an hour.

Train: Bookham railway station on Church Road provides regular South Western Railway services directly to London Waterloo, with journey times of approximately 50 mins during peak hours. The station also serves Guildford (15 minutes) and other Surrey locations.

Bus: The 479 bus route connects Bookham with Epsom, Leatherhead and Guildford, running Monday to Friday with limited Saturday services.

Property styles: Bookham’s housing stock reflects its evolution from a medieval village to a sought-after commuter location. Victorian and Edwardian family homes dominate the older parts of Great Bookham, particularly around the high street and church areas, featuring traditional bay windows and period details.

Post-war development brought substantial family houses with generous gardens, whilst more recent construction has added contemporary apartments and executive homes. The area around Polesden Lacey and the private roads like The Park and Burnhams Road showcase some of Surrey’s finest detached properties.

The best properties are found on prestigious roads such as The Park, regarded as Great Bookham’s premier address, where grand family homes command premium prices.

Church Road and Lower Road feature impressive detached houses with mature gardens, whilst the roads surrounding Bookham Common offer properties with direct woodland access. Little Bookham Street provides a selection of period cottages and village houses with particular character.

Bookham offers residents and visitors a fascinating blend of historic landmarks and natural attractions that reflect both its Saxon heritage and position within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Polesden Lacey – This magnificent Edwardian country house and 1,400-acre estate serves as Bookham’s premier attraction. Former home of society hostess Margaret Greville, the house welcomed royalty including the future George VI and Queen Elizabeth for their honeymoon. The opulent interiors house collections of fine art, furniture and Fabergé, whilst the gardens offer year-round colour and spectacular Surrey Hills views.
• Bookham Commons – Ancient woodlands and grasslands covering 430 acres, owned by the National Trust and designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These commons support rare butterfly species including the purple emperor, offer extensive walking trails, and feature tranquil ponds perfect for wildlife watching. The area includes remnants of medieval field systems and provides direct access to countryside recreation.
• St. Nicolas Church, Great Bookham – Dating from the 12th century, this historic parish church features Norman architecture and houses notable memorials to local families. The church sits prominently on Church Road and forms part of the village’s historic core, surrounded by some of Bookham’s finest period properties.
• Little Bookham Church (St Nicolas) – A smaller but equally significant medieval church serving the Little Bookham community, featuring Norman and later additions. The church and its peaceful churchyard provide insight into the area’s continuous Christian heritage spanning nearly a millennium.

Bookham’s employment landscape reflects its character as an affluent commuter village, with residents enjoying diverse career opportunities both locally and within easy reach of major employment centres.

The local economy centres around service industries, retail, and small professional practices that serve the village and surrounding areas. Local employers include The Grange Centre, a long-established charity supporting people with learning disabilities, whilst the thriving high street supports numerous small businesses from traditional retailers to modern service providers. Office Zebra, a recruitment consultancy based in the area, specialises in placing temporary and permanent office-based staff across Surrey, indicating the region’s strong demand for professional services.

Great Bookham School
(Griffin Way, Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT23 4JJ, Ages 4-11, Mixed)

Great Bookham School stands out as one of Surrey’s highest-performing primary academies, recently rated Outstanding in four out of five areas by Ofsted and ranked eighth best-performing school in Surrey for 2024/25. This academy conversion, previously known as The Dawnay School, serves children aged 4-11 with a strong focus on academic excellence and personal development.

Manor House School
(Manor House Lane, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 4EN, Ages 4-18, Girls only with co-educational nursery)

Manor House School provides independent education for girls from nursery through to sixth form, with a co-educational nursery welcoming both boys and girls. This prestigious school has built a reputation for academic excellence, creative arts, and developing confident young women prepared for university and beyond. The school’s facilities include specialist science laboratories, arts studios, and extensive sports provision, whilst maintaining small class sizes that enable personalised attention for each pupil.

Polesden Lacey Infant Academy
(Ages 4-7, Mixed)

This small, intimate infant school provides early years education in a nurturing environment, with just three classes creating a family-like atmosphere where every child is known individually. The academy shares its site with an independent Playschool, offering seamless transition for very young children. The school emphasises a broad, balanced curriculum designed specifically for the developmental needs of infant-age children.

Bookham’s local amenities reflect its status as a thriving village community, offering residents excellent shopping, leisure and recreational facilities whilst maintaining traditional village character and independence from large retail chains.

• Shopping – Great Bookham’s high street features traditional independent retailers including butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, bakers and a well-stocked hardware store, creating an authentic village shopping experience. Modern convenience is provided by a Co-op supermarket (8 High Street, Great Bookham, Leatherhead KT23 4AG), whilst specialist shops include Laytons Greengrocers for exotic produce and a chocolatier offering handmade confections and gelato for those seeking premium treats.
• Leisure – The Old Barn Hall (Rectory Lane, Great Bookham KT23 4DZ) serves as the community’s primary events venue, hosting everything from village celebrations to private functions. Bookham Commons provides extensive outdoor recreation with walking trails, cycling paths, horse-riding routes and children’s natural play areas, whilst nearby Polesden Lacey offers cultural activities, gardens and seasonal events throughout the year.