To the west of the Cranleigh Water valley and south of the town centre of Guildford, sits the village of Bramley. Situated mainly within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a protected conservation area dedicated to preserving the natural landscapes of the Surrey region. Bramley’s historic roots and pastoral landscapes make it an excellent location for those wishing to bridge the gap between country living and urban connectivity, with plots of land for sale, country houses, impressive semi-detached properties, and converted flats within Snowdenham Hall!

In 1086, Bramley was recorded in the Domesday Book has a settlement with over 160 households and 6 owners; putting it in the top 20% of populuses in the period. The name Bramley is Saxon, and roughly means ‘clearing the broom’, coinciding with the nearby Birtley, which translates to ‘clearing the birch’. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area had been cultivated and settled prior to the Norman invasion of 1066. In 1931 archaeological teams exploring the boundaries of Bramley excavated an Iron Age Hillfort at nearby Hascombe Hill! The area of Bramley was built in a linear fashion, with most of the residences and businesses constructed along the Horsham Road, growing further in the 17th century and eventually booming with the advent of the railway and the canal systems.

Situated firmly within a conservation area and within the Surrey AONB boundaries, development must adhere to a strict set of guidelines that works within these parameters. Residents of the Bramley locale are fiercely protective of their identity and the local character of the village, and track planning permissions accordingly. However, there are pockets of developmental potential, particularly within Rural Exception Sites, which the Borough of Waverley supports developments such as conversions of mansions, outbuildings, agricultural buildings, and other commercial buildings!