The Napper Centre Heritage Open Day - Book a FREE ticket to visit the Operating Theatre

For the first time, the Napper Centre will be open to the public, following recent renovation work. Built in 1859, the Napper Centre in Cranleigh, Surrey was the first cottage hospital in the UK. The Centre will be available to everyone on the day but there will be a booking system in place to tour the Operating Theatre at given time slots.

A 15th-century cottage became England's first cottage hospital in 1859, founded by Dr Albert Napper, who believed passionately that small, local hospitals should be accessible to all, regardless of financial status. His vision was simple but revolutionary: that people could receive care close to home and pay only what they could afford. This pioneering ethos is widely credited as an inspiration for the creation of the NHS.

Today, the Napper Centre is a vibrant community space dedicated to health, wellbeing, heritage, and learning for Cranleigh.

Please note only the ground floor is accessible by wheelchair, and there are stairs to The Operating Theatre.

Car parking is available at Village Way, Cranleigh. There is no parking or waiting outside the Napper Centre.