Dorking
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- Dorking is also a type of chicken breed.
Template:Infobox England place Dorking is a market town nestling under the North Downs approximately 25 miles south of London, in Surrey, England.
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History and Development
Dorking began life as a small staging post on Stane Street, the Roman Road which linked London to Chichester on the English Channel.
In the 11th Century, Dorking was recorded in the Domesday Book as the Manor of Dorchinges. Subsequent Lords of the Manor were to include the Dukes of Norfolk - who lived in Dorking until they moved to Arundel: one of whom is buried in Dorking churchyard. In the Medieval period, Dorking was a prosperous agricultural and market town, benefitting from its position on the junction of a number of important roads and tracks.
In 1750, the construction of a Turnpike Road made Dorking a staging post on the route to Brighton and the coast. The Bull’s Head in South Street had a famous coachman, William Broad, whose portrait hangs in Dorking Museum in West Street. The inn which now dominates the centre of Dorking, the White Horse, was developed in the 18th century; previous buildings on this site having belonged to the Knights Templar and later the Knights of St John.
Dorking held a big wheat and cattle market in the High Street. The poultry market was held in the corner of South Street and round Butter Hill. Here the famous Dorking fowl were sold. This breed which has 5 claws instead of the normal four, was a favourite for 19th century tables, including Queen Victoria.
Dorking lost its stage coaches when the railways arrived, but now attracted wealthy residents who built large houses in and around Dorking, such as Denbies (now a winery) and Pippbrook House (now the library, with Council Offices in the grounds). Surrounding land and beauty spots such as Cotmandene and Box Hill were donated by landowners for public use and this, together with later planning controls, has enabled Dorking to remain one of the pleasantest towns within convenient reach of London, having escaped much of the modern development witnessed by its neighbours. [Overell, B. 2005, Dorking Local History Group].
A game resembling rugby was once played here. The two sides were unlimited in number, representing the east and west of the town. The goals were the 2 bridges on the Pipp Brooke. The Town crier kicked off the ball at 2 o' clock and stopped play at 6 o'clock. The game was started at the Church gates and was "rioted" up and down the main street. It was ceased in 1897 after complaints by tradesmen and it was officially stopped under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835.
Topography, natural history and local landscape
Just north of the town the River Mole cuts a steep-sided valley through the North Downs. On the left bank is Denbies Vineyard, the largest vineyard in the UK. On the right bank is Box Hill, owned by the National Trust and Britain's first Country Park. The hill has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, because of the large number of rare orchids which grow there in the summer.
Further north is Norbury Park which contains the Druids Grove - a forest of ancient yew trees, some of which are more than 1000 years old.
To the south west of the town is Leith Hill - also owned by the National Trust, the highest point in the south of England, reaching 1,000ft at the tower on top of the hill. Along with the adjacent hills of Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill, as well as the nearby escarpment of the North Downs from Box Hill to Newlands Corner, the area is known as 'The Surrey Hills'.
A new species of fish-eating dinosaur - Baryonyx walkeri was discovered in clay pits just south of Dorking. The creature had a long curved claw on each hand and remains of its last meal were discovered fossilised in its ribcage. The skeleton can be seen at the Natural History Museum in London.
Modern Dorking
With its many shops Dorking is a booming town, as well as home to Mole Valley District Council.
The town is known worldwide for its antique dealers.
The evolution of the Dorking has been kind to the town centre. Much of the original character survives, whilst accomodating businesses that serve the needs of the 21st century. The town boasts a unique mix of well-known High Street names and independent retailers offering a range of goods and services.
The town's three main trading streets of High Street, West Street and South Street are complemented by a small open-air shopping centre, St Martins Walk which is conveniently adjacent to the town's main car park and easily accessed from the High Street.
In the late 1990's Dorking Halls was given a huge refit, to make it a state-of-the-art cinema and theatre complex. In 2003 a new modern leisure centre and swimming pool were added to the Dorking Halls Complex.
Famous residents and literary connections
Laurence Olivier was born in the town - a blue plaque marking his birthplace can be found in Wathen Road. Several other actors live here now including John Watson and Rick Partridge, both of whom have appeared in The Bill.
The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958, spent most of his childhood in Leith Hill Place, near Coldharbour and, from 1929 to 1953, off the Westcott Road in Dorking.
Joshua Nicholas Cowls: Famous political debater from the 19th century. Political teachings rumoured to have influenced Tony Blair's early career moves. A bench on the north side of Meadowbank Park pays tribute to his fierce socialist ideologies.
Architect Thomas Cubitt was born and lived in the town, and later built up large areas of London from the early 19th Century.
The novelist Daniel Defoe, 1661-1731, probably attended a boarding-school in Pixham Lane, and later mentioned Dorking in his Tour through the Whole Island of Great Britain.
Visitors to Dorking included Benjamin Disraeli and the novelist George Gissing, The Burford Bridge Hotel on the banks of the river is reputed to be the place where Lord Nelson spent his last night before boarding ship for the Battle of Trafalgar.
Box Hill, north of the town, was the setting for a significant passage from Jane Austen's novel Emma. George Meredith lived in Box Hill and died at his home there in 1909.
The town is the setting for the fictional "The Battle of Dorking" short-story written by Lt. Col. Sir George Tomkyns Chesney in 1871. See also invasion literature.
Local government
Dorking is the administrative centre of Mole Valley District Council. It had been an urban district from 1894 to 1974.
Transport
Road
Dorking is situated at the junction of the A24 (London to Worthing) and A25 (Maidstone to Guildford) roads.
Rail
The town has three railway stations.
- Dorking Railway Station, on the Epsom to Horsham line,
- Dorking Deepdene, on the Guildford to Redhill line.
- Dorking West, also on the Guildford to Redhill line.
Education
Various Primary Schools cater for 5-11 year olds. Secondary education is largely provided for by,
- The Ashcombe School
- Priory Church of England Voluntary Aided School.
Emergency Services
Dorking is served by these emergency sevices.
- Surrey Police
- Surrey Ambulance Service, In North Holmwood
- Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, In North Holmwood
- Hospital, Small Hospital with no A&E.
Leisure and Culture
Facilities and features of the town include:
- The Dorking Halls, A cinema, theatre, leisure centre and swimming pool complex. The centre offers a 75 station gym, over 50 exercise classes per week, a 25m 6-lane swimming pool, a baby pool, a 6 badminton court-sized sports hall, a crèche, a cafe, ample parking, children's activities and much more! All subject to timetables.
- Each year in April, the town plays host to the Leith Hill Music Festival for choirs which was founded by the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
- A local museum.
- A well stocked library.
- Famous antique and art shops on West Street.
- Almost 30 Pubs.
- The 'Arts Alive' Festival takes place annually during the last two weeks of October in and around the town.
- The Leith Hill area, along with the adjacent hills of Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill, as well as the nearby escarpment of the North Downs from Box Hill to Newlands Corner, is becoming known as one of the best areas in southern England for mountain biking. As a whole this area is known as 'The Surrey Hills'.
On June 15, 2004, Dorking was granted Fairtrade Town status.
External links
Tourist board website.
Local government website.
Feature on Southern Life website.
Business and community website
Things to do, places to go and general discussion for young people in Dorking.da:Dorking no:Dorking