By Roger Packham
Wildernesse House, or 84 High Street, is nearly opposite the Old Rectory, and has been estimated to have been built c.1485, making it the oldest secular building in Caterham. It appears on the Rowed Map of Caterham of 1736 and was one of three houses grouped together before two were demolished following a decision by Caterham & Warlingham Council in 1953.
The opinion of the Sanitary Inspector was that the cottages were unfit for human habitation. Today, three maisonettes, numbered 86-108 High Street, stand on the site of those two cottages but happily 84 High Street remains and it was listed Grade 11 in 1972. It was occupied by the Hill family for many years and in 1975, when Mrs Margaret Hill was the resident, Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council both gave £65 towards estimated repair costs of £600. Until quite recently number 84 was home to the Chaldon Employment Agency, however it is now a private residence again. The external timbers on the front of the building are not original.
Note the attached building to the right with a catslide roof that houses Grummitt’s music shop, a repairer and restorer of musical instruments, and further to the right, number 82. This was originally Rutley’s Stores, but is now much-changed and home to Swift Windows.