Great Bookham, village located in Mole Valley, Surrey, United Kingdom
Great Bookham is a village in Mole Valley with a main High Street lined with historic buildings dating back to medieval times alongside contemporary shops and services. The village center includes two Norman churches, several pubs, and restaurants that serve both residents and visitors exploring the area on foot.
Records show land here was granted to a monastery around 675, with Saxon kings later confirming the village's rights and ownership. The Domesday Book of 1086 listed it as a small settlement with a church, mill, and farming land.
Great Bookham takes its name from Old English roots meaning beech trees, reflecting the woodland that once covered the area. The two parish churches of St. Nicolas and All Saints' sit at the heart of community life and show the architectural style of Norman times.
The village is easy to explore on foot, with a walking route of about 1 kilometer passing through the main parts of Great Bookham. Most shops and pubs are open during daytime hours, making it convenient to visit and observe the mixed old and new sides of the settlement.
Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, was born here in 1943, though his father died in combat just months later. This personal connection links the village to music history and remains part of local memory.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
