Locals will be quick to tell you that you don’t just live in Bookham. You either live in Great Bookham or Little Bookham. The former is the village section of the town, complete with quintessential church, pub, bakery and paper shop. Little Bookham is more residential, rural, and home to Bookham railway station.
Schools in Bookham
There are a handful of excellent schools in Bookham. The Dawnay School on Griffin Way received an Ofsted ranking of good during their latest inspection and is a stone’s throw from the High Street. East Wick Infant and Junior school are both also ‘good’ and located further into Little Bookham on Eastwick Drive. The Polesden Lacey Infant School is ‘outstanding’ in the eyes of Ofsted and is championed for its small class sizes.
The most local secondary school is The Howard of Effingham, which is located in the neighbouring village of Effingham and caters to boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It was also awarded ‘outstanding’ during its latest Ofsted inspection.
Things to Do in and Around Bookham
Located on the North Downs in Bookham is Polesden Lacey. The Edwardian country house is a National Trust location and people flock to explore the gardens, house and accompanying buildings. With countless rooms and walks to enjoy it is one of the areas greatest attractions.
Just a couple of miles from Bookham is Bocketts Farm Park. A great day out for all the family, the working farm is home to creatures great and small, including a multitude of new arrivals in the spring time! Bring a picnic or pop into the delicious café on site.
A little further outside of Bookham, but definitely worth the 20-minute car journey is Chessington World of Adventures. The complex comprises of the theme park, zoo and sea life centre and visitors who aren’t big fans of rides always end up having a fun day out.
Transport Links Bookham
Little Bookham is home to Bookham railway station. However, it is a quick walk from the High Street and locals can utilise the 479 bus. Typical off-peak services run between London Waterloo and Guildford (via Epsom). Trains tend to depart every 30 minutes and arrive at Guildford in 21 minutes and London Waterloo in 52 minutes. Trains between Guildford and London Waterloo via Bookham are a stopping service, calling at stations such as Horsley, Leatherhead, Ewell West, Wimbledon and Clapham Junction amongst others.
As well as a number of local regional buses, those living in Bookham have easy access to the M25 motorway at junction 9. Guildford is just a 25-minute drive away in good traffic down the A3 and Central London is just 25 miles away.