The Countryside of the Surrey Hills
With Box Hill and Ranmore Common to the north and Leith Hill to the south, the landscape around Dorking is quite spectacular and has inspired artists and writers. Jane Austen, Horatio Nelson (plus Lady Hamilton!) and Vaughan Williams have all walked this landscape. It is much enjoyed by visitors. Many of these areas are within a short walk of the site and there is an extensive network of well-maintained footpaths and bridleways.
The site www.visitdorking.com has lots of information about activities in Dorking and the surrounding area.
Dorking
Set in the beautiful Surrey Hills, Dorking has a lot to offer for an outing.
Leisure Centre – Take the girls for swimming or book a court. For further information ring the Dorking Sports Centre on 01306 870180, or visit their website: Dorking-Sports-Centre
Heritage Trail – Two self-guided trails are available for those who wish to explore the varied architecture, streets and public spaces of the town centre. A leaflet incorporating a plan of the routes is available from the Tourist Information Office in the Dorking Halls or can be downloaded from the www.visitdorking.com site
Dorking Museum – The museum contains an amazing variety of displays from children’s toys to agricultural equipment and has an extensive fossil collection, bygones including early radios, vacuum cleaners and sewing machines, a Victorian dolls house and Victorian kitchen and laundry artifacts.
For more information and details of current exhibition visit www.dorkingmuseum.co.uk, The Old Foundry, 62 West Street
Dorking South Street Caves – Sandstone caves originally used by various brewers, vintners and grossers. Fossils occasionally can be found in the lower Greensand for more information visit Dorking Museum | Caves or arrange a visit by contacting Jim Harvey on jim@Jamesharvey.co.uk
The Surrey Hills
The countryside is great for walking and rambling, with degrees of difficulty extending from an assault on the steep footpath of Box Hill to a gentle stroll. The North Downs and Greensand Ways, The Mole Gap Trail and the Thames Link all pass through the area.
Follow Lince Lane northwards past Faurefold, cross the small footbridge over Pippbrook, and footpaths lead you directly up to Ranmore Common and the Denbies Hillside National Trust | Denbies Hillside
If you go down the lane to the stream past the private house, please ask the girls to be quiet when passing to show respect to our neighbours.
For walks in Mole Valley and the Surrey Hills visit www.surreyhills.org
Cycling is also permitted on bridleways and there are designated cycle paths linking town and countryside. The site www.visitdorking.com provides details of local organized tours.
The London 2012 Olympic Cycle Road Races where held in Dorking and Box Hill on 28th and 29th July 2012.
There are two ordnance survey maps covering the area which are widely available in bookshops: the 1:50,000 Landranger 187 ‘Dorking, Reigate and Crawley’ and Explorer 146 ‘Dorking’ Box Hill and Reigate’ which at 1:25,000 is very a good guide to footpaths.
Further afield
Within a few miles of Dorking are a range of top quality attractions to provide interest and enjoyment for all the family.
Chessington World of Adventures is one of the best theme parks in the country. It is a short distance from Dorking via the A24, around Leatherhead to the A243. With new attractions each year it provides an exciting day out for all the family.
Bocketts Farm, 6 miles away near Leatherhead, is a working farm that provides opportunities for visitors to see animals such as friendly domestic farm animals, roaming ducks and chickens. Unusual animals such as water buffalo, zebu and llamas can also be seen. Daily events include tractor rides, goat milking and the famous pig races!
www.bockettsfarm.co.uk, Bocketts Farm Park, Young Street, Fetcham Leatherhead, KT22 9BS
Denbies – Denbies is Britain’s largest vineyard. Experience Tours operate daily starting with a state of the art 360º cinema film followed by a trip through the winery and the impressive cellars.
The Vineyard Land Train is also available from April to October to take you up the North Downs Way for amazing views of the Surrey Hills.
Nearby
Cradhurst Park
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This play park in Westcott makes a fabulous excursion for Rainbows, Brownies or Guides and is only a short walk away. As well as play equipment for all ages there is a zip wire, table tennis table, basket ball hoop, goal nets and grassy pitch space for games such as Football or Rounders.
You can download the info route description or view on the OS App here
The Nower
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Only 30 minutes from Faurefold and a beautiful woodland walk: the Nower Temple is an ideal destination for all ages.
You can download the trail sheet or view on the OS App here
Surrey Cycleway
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Access Sustrans Route 22 from Pippbrook at the end of Lince Lane.
Route 22 runs from Banstead, via Dorking and Westcott to Guildford, from there it continues all the way to Southsea, passing through Alice Holt Forest near Farnham.
Alternatively, at Shamley Green you can pick up route 233 and head south to Shoreham