Originally called "Cranley", the name was changed with that of the village to its current spelling in 1867, to avoid confusion with Crawley in West Sussex.

Under the provisions of the Light Railways Act 1896, a line linking Ockley and Selham (near Midhurst) was proposed, but failed to attract support.

[26] An enthusiasts' special, which ran the full length of the route on Sunday 13 June 1965, was the final passenger train to operate on the Cranleigh line.

[27][28] In April 1966, the track was lifted from the line and, in the same month, permission was given for the station and goods yard at Cranleigh to be used for the Stocklund Square shopping centre and its associated car park.

[36][37] Since the station site at Cranleigh had been developed, Waverley Borough Council wanted the new path to bypass Stocklund Square to the south, but the Bonham Trust initially refused permission to create a new bridleway through Snoxhall Fields, which it owned.

The 1994 report concluded that the investment required would not justify reinstatement, but Waverley Borough Council has protected the line from development in its Local Plan.