About us
We are a long-established private dental practice, providing ‘quality dentistry by caring professionals’ in the heart of Great Bookham.
Our aim is to deliver the highest standards of oral health for our patients, in a caring, friendly and relaxed environment.
We offer a full range of dental treatments including implants, hygiene services and cosmetic treatments if appropriate.
Englands House at a glance
- Friendly village practice
- Established for over twenty years
- High-quality dental care
- A full range of treatments, including dental implants, hygiene services and facial rejuvenation
- Convenient location
- Excellent reputation
- A delightful Grade II listed building
A brief history of our building
Our beautiful timber-framed building provides a distinctive home for our warm, cosy, dental practice. It has also played a variety of other roles during its long and rather interesting history.
In the 16th century, this picturesque building formed part of a larger property that included our neighbour, Victoria Cottage. This was owned by the Grove Estate and occupied by Dame Elizabeth Durden, who also had access to two acres of land. The pretty leaded first-floor windows probably stem from the middle of the 16th century and are a clue to just how long the building has been around.
Changes were made in the 17th century when the south wall was added, along with a staircase, fireplace and brick oven. Fortunately, the hole in the roof, which would have been an outlet for smoke, is no longer a feature!
The building was divided into two cottages in the late 18th century, and at the beginning of the 20th century, it was occupied by Mr and Mrs Atkins. He was a gardener at Eastwick Park, and she sold homemade boiled sweets – twelve for a penny – in local pubs or directly from the front door.
Mr Scott, the Bookham voluntary fire chief and parish clerk, became the new occupier when the Atkins family moved out and he continued to live at Englands House for over twenty years.
An old black and white photograph of the front of the building hangs on the inside wall of our entrance porch, showing the round floor tiles outside the front door, which indicate where a water well once was.
In the sixties, the cottage was completely refurbished but remained residential until it was turned into commercial offices. In 1992, this delightful building became Englands House Dental Practice, and our waiting room retains elements of the original interior, offering our patients an insight into our building’s past.