2013-03-08

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{{About|the market town in Surrey}}

{{infobox UK place|

|country = England

|official_name= Dorking

|map_type= Surrey

|label_position= bottom

|population = 17,000

|shire_district= [[Mole Valley]]

| shire_county = [[Surrey]]

|region= South East England

|constituency_westminster= [[Mole Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Mole Valley]]

|post_town= Dorking

|postcode_district= RH4

|postcode_area=RH

|dial_code= 01306

|os_grid_reference= TQ165496

|latitude= 51.2340

|longitude= -0.3318

|static_image_name = Dorking - geograph.org.uk - 788645.jpg

|static_image_caption = Dorking from Denbies Hillside

}}

[[Image:Dorking South Street 1959.jpg|thumb|right|250px|South Street in Dorking in about 1959]]

[[Image:Dorking South Street 2009.jpg|thumb|right|250px|South Street in Dorking in May 2009]]

'''Dorking''' ({{IPAc-en|icon|ˈ|d|ɔr|k|ɪ|ŋ}}) is a historic [[market town]] at the foot of the [[North Downs]] approximately {{convert|21|mi|km}}
{{cite web|title=UK Grid Reference Finder|url=http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/|publisher=UK Grid Reference Finder|accessdate=29 April 2012}}
south of [[London]], in [[Surrey]], England.

== History and development ==

Dorking began as a small staging post on [[Stane Street (Chichester)|Stane Street]], the [[Roman road]] between London and [[Chichester]] on the [[English Channel]].

Dorking appears in [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as the Manor of ''Dorchinges''. It was held by [[William the Conqueror]]. Its Domesday assets were: one church, three [[Mill (grinding)|mills]] worth 15s 4d, 16 [[plough]]s, {{convert|3|acre|ha|1}} of [[meadow]], [[woodland]] and herbage for 88 [[hog (swine)|hogs]]. It rendered £18.
[http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book]

Subsequent Lords of the Manor included the [[Dukes of Norfolk]], who lived in Dorking until they moved to [[Arundel]]. One of them is buried in Dorking churchyard.

In the [[medieval period]], Dorking was a prosperous agricultural and market town, benefiting 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. An inn in the centre of Dorking, the White Horse, was developed in the 18th century; previous buildings on this site belonged to the [[Knights Templar]] and later the [[Knights of Saint John|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 (chicken)|Dorking fowl]] were sold. This breed, which has 5 claws instead of the normal four, was a favourite for 19th century tables, including that of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]].

Dorking lost its stagecoaches when the railways arrived, but now attracted wealthy residents who built large houses in and around Dorking, such as Denbies House and Pippbrook House (now with Council Offices in the grounds). Surrounding land and beauty spots such as Cotmandene
{{cite web|title=List of Recreation Areas and Parks|url=http://www.molevalley.gov.uk|publisher=Mole Valley Borough Council}}
and [[Box Hill, Surrey|Box Hill]] were donated by landowners for public use, protected by the [[Metropolitan Green Belt]] and [[Surrey Hills AONB|AONB]] designation of the [[North Downs]] and [[Greensand Ridge]].

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 two bridges on the Pipp Brook. The Town Crier kicked off the ball at 2 pm and stopped play at 6 pm. The game was started at the church gates and was "rioted" up and down the High Street. It ceased in 1897 after complaints by tradesmen and it was officially stopped under section 72 of the [[Highway Act 1835]].

Dorking was an [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]] from 1894 to 1974.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

==Geography==

The town is in the west of the area between hill ranges in southern England known as [[Vale of Holmesdale|Holmesdale]] which has headwaters of several rivers. The town's geography is undulating, for example the elevation of the southern point of the central one-way system is 76 metres and on its northern side the elevation is 59–60 metres. The Mole's nearest point to the town lies at 45 metres.

Just northeast of the town the [[River Mole, Surrey|River Mole]] cuts a steep-sided valley through the North Downs. On the left bank is [[Denbies Vineyard]], the largest vineyard in the UK
[http://www.visitsurrey.com/site/things-to-do/denbies-wine-estate-p68293 Visit Surrey]
On the right bank is [[Box Hill, Surrey|Box Hill]], owned by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|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{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

To the south west of the town is [[Leith Hill]], also owned by the National Trust, the second highest point in the south east of England after [[Walbury Hill]]. Its modest tower climbs to {{convert|1000|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. Along with the adjacent [[Greensand Ridge]] including 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 '[[Surrey Hills AONB|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.
[http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2008/january/british-dinosaur-had-crocodile-like-skull18891.html News archive, Natural History Museum website]
The skeleton can be seen at the [[Natural History Museum]] in London. One disused clay pit (Inholms lane) is now open to the public as a nature reserve.

===Climate===

Dorking experiences an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'') similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.

{{Weather box

|location = Dorking

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 8

| Feb high C = 8

| Mar high C = 11

| Apr high C = 13

| May high C = 17

| Jun high C = 20

| Jul high C = 22

| Aug high C = 23

| Sep high C = 19

| Oct high C = 15

| Nov high C = 11

| Dec high C = 8

|year high C = 15

| Jan low C = 2

| Feb low C = 2

| Mar low C = 3

| Apr low C = 3

| May low C = 6

| Jun low C = 9

| Jul low C = 11

| Aug low C = 11

| Sep low C = 8

| Oct low C = 7

| Nov low C = 4

| Dec low C = 2

|year low C = 6

| Jan precipitation mm = 69.5

| Feb precipitation mm = 64.5

| Mar precipitation mm = 43.7

| Apr precipitation mm = 48.6

| May precipitation mm = 56.9

| Jun precipitation mm = 32.0

| Jul precipitation mm = 51.3

| Aug precipitation mm = 37.0

| Sep precipitation mm = 46.9

| Oct precipitation mm = 103.8

| Nov precipitation mm = 91.7

| Dec precipitation mm = 90.7

|year precipitation mm = 736.6

|source 1 =
{{cite web

| url = http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:9330&q=Dorking%2c+GBR+forecast:averagesm | title = Averages for Dorking | publisher = | language = }}

|date=August 2010

}}

==Modern Dorking==

[[File:Let there be light in Dorking high street - geograph.org.uk - 1407931.jpg|thumb|right|300px|'[[Let there be light]]', a decorative moulding above one of the shops in the High Street.]]

The evolution of Dorking has been kind to the town centre. Much of the original character survives, whilst accommodating businesses that serve the needs of the 21st century. The town is well known for its antique dealers. 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 Martin's Walk, which is adjacent to the town's main car park and easily accessed from the High Street.
{{cite web|title=Description of Dorking from Local Authority|url=http://www.molevalley.gov.uk|publisher=Mole Valley Borough Council}}

In the late 1990s Dorking Halls was given a huge refit, to make it a cinema and theatre complex. In 2003 a new modern leisure centre and swimming pool were added to the Dorking Halls Complex.

There is a big statue of the "[[Dorking (chicken)|Dorking cockerel]]" located on the Deepdene roundabout.
{{cite news|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2114526_dorking_cockerel_gets_in_diamond_jubilee_spirit|title=Dorking cockerel gets in Diamond Jubilee spirit|date=28 May 2012|publisher=Get Surrey|author=Guy Martin|accessdate=26 June 2012}}

Dorking and nearby Box Hill were chosen as part of the route for the 2012 London Olympics Cycle Road Race.

== Governance ==

[[Surrey County Council]] elected every four years, has three representatives, with only a few close but outlying farms falling under the latter two wards :

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!colspan="2"|First Elected!!Member
[http://online.surreycc.gov.uk/members/membook.nsf/webSelectMember?openform Surrey County Councillors. Retrieved 2012-04-28]
!!

Ward

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2005

|Steven Cooksey|| Dorking and the Holmwoods - includes the town Dorking

|-

|style="background-color: {{Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2001

|Helen Clack || Dorking Rural - comprises farms and villages east of Dorking

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|1993

|Hazel Watson || Dorking Hills - comprises farms and villages south & west of Dorking

|-

|}

Five councillors sit on [[Mole Valley]] borough council, who are:

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!colspan="2"|Election!!Member
[http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=9543 Mole Valley Councillors. Retrieved 2012-06-05]

[http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/media/pdf/n/7/District_Results_2011.pdf Mole Valley Results 2009-11]
!!

Ward

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2008

|Paul Elderton || Dorking North

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2012

|Derrick Stanley John Burt || Dorking North

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2011

|Stephen Cooksey || Dorking South

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2010

|Margaret Cooksey || Dorking South

|-

|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |

|2012

|Tim Loretto || Dorking South

|}

==Nearest Settlements==

{{Geographic Location

|title = '''Neighbouring areas of Surrey'''

|Northwest = [[Great Bookham]]

|North = [[Westhumble]]

|Northeast = [[Pixham]], [[Box Hill, Surrey|Box Hill]], [[Headley, Surrey|Headley]]

|East = [[Brockham]]

|Centre = Dorking

|West = [[Westcott, Surrey|Westcott]]

|Southwest = [[Coldharbour, Surrey|Coldharbour]]

|South = [[North Holmwood]]

|Southeast = [[Newdigate]]

}}

== Famous residents and literary connections==

People born in the town include: [[Laurence Olivier]], Lord Olivier, in 1907 — a [[blue plaque]] marking his birthplace can be found in Wathen Road.

Other people born in Dorking include [[Walter Dendy Sadler]] (1854–1923) artist and painter, and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.]] Striker [[Jamie Mackie]] (born 1985).

The famous composer [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]] lived in Dorking for much of his life, and penned most of the works which made him famous in Dorking. The lark in "The Lark Ascending" is known to have been heard in the [[Mole Valley]] to the north of the town.

[[Absolute Radio]] DJ [[Christian O'Connell]] resides in Dorking with his wife and two children.

[[Kenneth Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking|Kenneth Baker]] served as [[Member of Parliament]] for [[Mole Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Mole Valley]] from 1983 to 1997 and lived for most of that time in [[Betchworth]]. On retirement he was made a [[life peer]] and took the title 'Kenneth Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking'.

People who have lived in the town in the past include: [[Daniel Defoe]] who attended Rev. James Fisher's boarding school in [[Pixham|Pixham Lane]], and [[Daniel Defoe|Defoe]] later mentioned Dorking in his tour through the whole Island of Great Britain.
[http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/authors/about_daniel_defoe.html Notes on Defoe]

Dorking also gets a mention in Defoe's book ''A Journal of the Plague Year'',
[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ERtDso-BJ2AC&lpg A Journal of the Plague Year, 1665]
as a refuge for his brother's family.

[[Henry Hope]] and his nephew [[Thomas Hope (1769-1831)|Thomas Hope]] spent summers at [[Deepdene (garden)|Deepdene]] in the beginning of the 19th century. [[Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield|Benjamin Disraeli]] wrote his novel [[Coningsby]] also while staying in [[Deepdene (garden)|Deepdene]] House (demolished in 1967) on the outskirts of the town. Emma Holland was brought up in the town.

Dorking and its environs, including Box Hill and the Deepdene Hotel, feature heavily in British author Robert Goddard's fictional thriller Closed Circle (1993). In this novel there are also several allusions to the notorious money-for-titles trader [[Maundy Gregory]], the owner of the Deepdene Hotel in the inter-war years.

The Cubitt family had links with the town also. [[Thomas Cubitt]] was born and lived in the town, and later built up large areas of London from the early 19th century. His politician son [[George Cubitt, 1st Baron Ashcombe|George]] also had connections with the town, and notably financed the building of St Barnabas Church on Ranmore Hill known by its nickname of Cubitt's Spire, Cubitt's Finger or Cubitt's Stump.
[http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=places.content&cmid=65 Dorking Deanery - Church Histories]

The famous irrigation engineer Sir [[Arthur Cotton]] spent his last days, preaching the Bible and experimenting on cultivation of new wheat strains here. His tombstone at a local cemetery describes Sir Arthur as “irrigation Cotton” who was involved in construction of large scale irrigation projects, dams, aqueducts, bridges and canals in India. The Polish poet [[Marian Hemar]] is also buried at the local cemetery.

''[[The Battle of Dorking]]'' a fictional short story written by Lt. Col. Sir [[George Tomkyns Chesney]] in 1871 was set in the town. Describing a fictional invasion and conquest of Britain, it triggered an explosion of what came to be known as [[invasion literature]].

In ''[[The Pickwick Papers]]'' by [[Charles Dickens]] Sam Weller's father and stepmother live in Dorking.

Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart of the band 10cc opened a studio, [[Strawberry Studios#Expansion and sale|Strawberry Studios South]], in a former cinema in Dorking at the end of South Street in 1976 following the departure of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. Songs recorded here include 'The things we do for love' and 'Good morning judge'. Songs recorded here by other artists include 'Ebony and Ivory' by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. The building was later demolished, the site used as a builders yard for a time and a housing development now occupies the site. In addition, [[The Cure]] recorded and mixed at Rhino Studios, which was situated at Pippbrook Mill, Fairfield Drive.

Child composer and musician [[Alma Deutscher]] lives in Dorking.

== Local government ==

[[Image:Dorking Hall.JPG|thumb|right|240px|Dorking Halls]]

[[Image:Dorking cockerel a25.jpg|thumb|The "Dorking cockerel" as seen from the [[A24 road (Great Britain)|A24]] roundabout.]]

Dorking is the administrative centre of [[Mole Valley]] District Council. It is situated in the [[Mole Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Mole Valley]] parliamentary constituency.

===Twin towns===

The town is twinned with [[Gouvieux]], France since 1997 and negotiations began in 2007 to twin with the [[Germany|German]] town of [[Güglingen]].
[http://www.surreyad.co.uk/news/2015/2015688/twinning_at_the_double Surrey Advertiser twinning info]

==Transport ==

{{Main|Transport in Dorking}}

===Road===

Dorking is situated at the junction of the [[A24 road (Great Britain)|A24]] ([[London]] to [[Worthing]]) and [[A25 road|A25]] ([[Maidstone]] to [[Guildford]]) roads.

===Rail===

The town has three railway stations.

*[[Dorking railway station]], on the [[Epsom]] to [[Horsham]] [[Sutton & Mole Valley Line]] run by Southern. Additionally, South West Trains run services to London Waterloo.

*[[Dorking Deepdene railway station|Dorking Deepdene]], on the Guildford to [[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]] [[North Downs Line]]. Services are run by First Great Western.

*[[Dorking West railway station|Dorking West]], also on the Guildford to Redhill North Downs Line, but served less frequently.

===Bus===

Most bus services are run by [[Arriva Guildford & West Surrey|Arriva]], the main locations served being Guildford, Redhill and [[Reigate]] including villages in between, as well as some local services. [[Sunray Travel]] operates a [[Surrey County Council|Surrey CC]] supported route to [[Leatherhead]] and Epsom, and running via [[Box Hill, Surrey|Box Hill]]. [[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]] took over Arriva's Horsham depot, and now run route 93 to [[Horsham]], and [[London Buses route 465]] to [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]].

==Education==

Various Primary Schools cater for 5–11 year olds:

* Powell Corderoy Primary School

* St Martin's School

* St Paul's School

* St Joseph's School

* St John's School, formerly Redlands

Secondary education is largely provided for by:

*[[The Ashcombe School]]

*[[The Priory School, Dorking|The Priory School]], formerly Sondes Place School (from 1996)

*[[St Teresa's School]]

==Emergency services==

[[Image:Dorking Police Station.JPG|thumb|220px|right|[[Surrey Police]], Dorking Station]]

[[Image:DenbiesVineyardView.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Vines at Denbies Wine Estate, looking towards [[Ranmore Common]] (taken in Autumn)]]

Dorking is served by these emergency services:

*[[Surrey Police]]

*[[South East Coast Ambulance Service]] as of 1 July 2006. The [[Surrey Ambulance Service]], [[Sussex]], and [[Kent]] Ambulance services have all merged, and have now ceased to exist.

*[[Surrey Fire & Rescue Service]], in [[North Holmwood]]

*[[Hospital|Dorking Hospital]], small hospital with no [[Emergency department|A&E]].

== Leisure and culture ==

On 15 June 2004, Dorking was granted [[Fairtrade Town]] status.

The Dorking Halls is a [[Movie theater|cinema]], [[theatre]], [[leisure centre]] and [[swimming pool]] complex. There is also an "Arts Alive" Festival which takes place annually during the last two weeks of October. Dorking Halls is also yearly host to a professional pantomime which was re-introduced in December 2006, after several years of hosting Zippo's Circus.

Dorking also has a museum, a library, about twenty pubs and a CIU affiliated club. It is noted for its antique and art shops on West Street.

The town has an active collection of sports clubs.Dorking has two [[Non-League football]] clubs [[Dorking FC|Dorking Football Club]] who are based in the centre of the town and play at the Meadowbank. [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.]] play at the Dorking Wanderers Stadium, which is situated near Westhumble.

Dorking rugby football club which plays at [[Brockham]] attracted national attention when it won the Powergen Vase in 2005/2006 and continues to do so currently playing in National League 3, London & South East.
[http://www.dorkingrfc.co.uk/ Dorking Rugby Football Club]

[http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Community_Detail/StoryID/13640 2005/2006 Powergen Vase]
Dorking and Mole Valley Athletics Club is based at [[Pixham|Pixham Sports Ground]]. They host the annual Dorking Ten road race starting from [[Brockham|Brockham Green]].
[http://www.dmvac.org.uk/ Dorking and Mole Valley Athletics Club]
The Mole Valley Bowmen are located in the grounds of St Martin's primary school.
[http://www.molevalleybowmen.org/index.htm Mole Valley Bowmen]

Near to Dorking lies 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. This place is notable in southern England for country walks, rambling and [[mountain biking]]. As a whole this area is known as 'The Surrey Hills'. Also adjacent to Dorking is [[Denbies Vineyard]]. The Dorking Group of Artists exhibit locally twice a year, in [[Betchworth]] and at [[Denbies Vineyard|Denbies]].
[http://www.dga.org.uk/ Dorking Group of Artists]
They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2007.

Underneath the town lie the [[Dorking Caves]] which are open occasionally to the public.

===Leith Hill Music Festival===

Each year in April, the town plays host to the Leith Hill Music Festival for local choral societies. This was founded in 1905 by Margaret Vaughan Williams, sister of the composer [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]], and Lady (Evangeline) Farrer, wife of [[Thomas Farrer, 2nd Baron Farrer|Lord Farrer]] of [[Abinger]] Hall.
And Choirs Singing, An account of the Leith Hill Musical Festival 1905-1985
Ralph Vaughan Williams was the Festival Conductor from 1905 to 1953. The present Festival Conductor is [[Brian Kay]].
{{cite web |url=http://www.lhmf.co.uk/ |title= Leith Hill Music Festival |author= |date= |work= |publisher= |accessdate=14 November 2010}}

It is a competitive festival lasting three days, each day with a different division of choirs; each evening the choirs who have competed during the day combine to give a concert of the works which form the subject of the competitions. Following the tradition established by Vaughan Williams, the [[St. Matthew Passion]] or the [[St. John Passion]] of [[J. S. Bach]] are also frequently performed by the combined choral societies.

==References==

{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Dorking}}

* [http://www.mole-valley.gov.uk/ Mole Valley District Council]

* {{dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Surrey/Dorking/|Dorking}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}}

{{Mole Valley}}

[[Category:Market towns in Surrey]]

[[Category:Mole Valley]]

[[Category:Towns in Surrey]]

[[Category:Post towns in the RH postcode area]]

{{usedwp|Dorking}}

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