cafe
Box Hill National Trust Cafe
The hilltop cafe at the summit of Box Hill offering sweeping views across the Surrey Hills, a classic destination for drivers and cyclists alike.
2 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Dorking
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Dorking
Dorking works well as a base: 10 minutes from Holmwood, 3km from Box Hill.
Dorking is in England, United Kingdom, with about 18,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Holmwood, about 6 km away.
Dorking () is a market town in Surrey in South East England about 21 mi (34 km) south-west of London. It is in Mole Valley District and the council headquarters are to the east of the centre. The High Street runs roughly east–west, parallel to the Pipp Brook and along the northern face of an outcrop of LowerRead more
Greensand. The town is bordered on three sides by the Surrey Hills National Landscape and is close to Box Hill and Leith Hill.
The earliest archaeological evidence of human activity is from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, and there are several Bronze Age bowl barrows in the local area. The town may have been the site of a staging post on Stane Street during Roman times, however the name 'Dorking' suggests an Anglo-Saxon origin for the modern settlement. A market is thought to have been held at least weekly since early medieval times and was highly regarded for the poultry traded there. The Dorking breed of domestic chicken is named after the town.
The local economy thrived during Tudor times, but declined in the 17th century due to poor infrastructure and competition from neighbouring towns. During the early modern period many inhabitants were nonconformists, including the author, Daniel Defoe, who lived in Dorking as a child. Six of the Mayflower Pilgrims, including William Mullins and his daughter Priscilla, lived in the town before setting sail for the New World.
Dorking started to expand during the 18th and 19th centuries as transport links improved and farmland to the south of the centre was released for housebuilding. The new turnpike, and later the railways, facilitated the sale of lime produced in the town, but also attracted wealthier residents, who had had no previous connection to the area. Residential expansion continued in the first half of the 20th century, as the Deepdene and Denbies estates began to be broken up. Further development is now constrained by the Metropolitan Green Belt, which encircles the town.
Where to Stay in Dorking
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Dorking.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Dorking.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Dorking?
Within an hour or so of Dorking: Box Hill National Trust Cafe (2 km), David's Cafe at Box Hill (2 km), Rykas Cafe (3 km), Box Hill (3 km).
Are there any good drives near Dorking?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Military Road, Isle of Wight.
Where is Dorking?
Dorking is in England, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Holmwood.
Road trip
Drive to Dorking
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Dorking. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 17,747
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.2323, -0.3338
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Dorking
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
David's Cafe at Box Hill
A popular roadside cafe at the base of the Box Hill zig-zag road, serving as the unofficial meeting point for the Surrey biker community.
2 km · about 5 min drive
cafe
Rykas Cafe
Iconic biker and cyclist cafe at the foot of Box Hill in Surrey, a must-stop gathering point on one of England's most famous riding roads.
3 km · about 5 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Box Hill
A steep chalk escarpment above the Mole valley, the Zig Zag Road on its flank made famous by the 2012 Olympic road race.
3 km · about 5 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Leith Hill
The highest point in south-east England at 294 m, its 18th-century tower taking visitors just above the 1,000-foot mark.
7 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Caterham Cars
Home of the legendary Caterham Seven where visitors can see lightweight sports cars assembled and even build their own.
15 km · about 30 min drive
museum
Brooklands Museum
The birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, featuring the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit from 1907.
16 km · about 20 min drive
racetrack
Brooklands
The world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit, opened 1907, where surviving sections of the towering concrete Members' Banking rear up out of the Surrey woodland. The museum holds racing cars and aircraft on the original site.
16 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Dorking
- Right hereBox HillA steep chalk escarpment above the Mole valley, the Zig Zag Road on its flank made famous by the 2012 Olympic road race.
- Right hereLeith HillThe highest point in south-east England at 294 m, its 18th-century tower taking visitors just above the 1,000-foot mark.
- 28 kmCrystal Palace CircuitA parkland racing circuit in south London that ran until 1972 and still hosts occasional sprint events. Sections of the old track survive as park roads and footpaths, complete with original kerbing among the Victorian terraces.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Dorking.
Plan a trip around Dorking
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Dorking.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.