Great Bookam, Fetcham, Ashtead, Dorking ?

Welcome Fairyfootsteps

I grew up quite near those areas you mention and pass through them from time to time. I'm not that far away now.

Great Bookham is a pretty little one street village, last times I was there I remember it had a Co-op at each end of that street, maybe a tea shop or two. It does have a railway station that connects it to Guildford and then up to London via Epsom but it's not that close to the village, but I note you said that didn't matter. Fetcham is a bit of a sprawl between, Leatherhead and Cobham, it has a small collection of local shops with I think a Co-op for essentials. Nearby Cobham has a very nice big Waitrose and a high street with a variety of shops. Ashtead, not sure whether it could be described as a big village or a small town, I know there is a Marks Food Hall in the middle of the high street. Dorking is a bigger place altogether, a proper town surrounded by a lovely Surrey Hills backdrop. I know it has a Waitrose and I think a Sainsburys, a smallish Marks and a few independents, restaurants, coffee shops etc. Guildford and Horsham are fair sized towns with most of the bigger outlets and chains and could be reached quite easily by public transport either train or bus if you did want to go shopping further afield.

I'd say the most affordable of those would be Fetcham. Have you looked on Right Move to get more of an idea?

I haven't lived in those places I hasten to add those are just my impressions, I hope someone else who has is able to give you more information.

Best wishes with any proposed move you may do I hope that goes well for you.

Such a nice area- but very busy and oh wow the prices!

It is a lovely area but property is very expensive. My son lived in Newdigate which is a short drive from Dorking. Its a very friendly village with lots going on.
Good luck with your move.

I loved Dorking pre-lockdown. Went there when we had that brief window in July last year - I was so sad, the word decimated comes to mind. Many of the independent shops were now vacant, To Let signs everywhere...

I grew up in Dorking in the sixties and have been back for school reunions a few times and for my sister's funeral. The town has retained its character in terms of the high street and it has a Lidl, besides Waitrose and Sainsbury’s!

But……. property is pricey as it has good rail links to London and Brighton or to Guildford and Gatwick. A smallish town but with three railway stations! Yes, it is surrounded by beautiful places like Box Hill and Leith Hill, but the traffic! It is a bottleneck in the town for most of the day.

I have better memories of living in Capel when young, a village about six miles from Dorking. Personally, I would opt for one of the many villages as you are seeking a quiet area. Good luck and do let us know where you choose to go.

Thank you for your good wishes. It’s a big move from a family house with amazing sea views. So far, I’m inclining towards Gt Bookham.