East Clandon is one of the settlements that grew up along a line of springs between Guildford and Leatherhead and lies immediately north of the main road (A246). The village has a complex plan although the road to Ripley reduces this in essence to a zig-zag road through the centre. Lanes leaving this produce a number of cells, each with a scattering of cottages around its edge, and this informality of layout is an important part of the local character. There are a number of timber-framed buildings with red brick infilling, in several cases refaced with red brick, and all the listed buildings have tiled roofs. This gives the village a unity lacking in its plan, while the mature colouring of the materials gives an added warmth to the place.
The Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury dates from the late 11th and 13th centuries, and the chancel of the latter period is in authentic condition as a few medieval buildings are in Surrey. A restoration of 1900 involved alterations and additions, including the bell-tower.
East Clandon Church, monument to Lord Rendel of Hatchlands
Photographic Survey and Record of Surrey no. 8954
The nearby Hatchlands, a Grade I listed building, is owned by the National Trust and includes an interior of 1759 by Robert Adam, his earliest dated work.
East Clandon, Hatchlands, c.1955
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection
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