Location: Dorking
Top Things to do in Dorking
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Top 7 Things to do Good for Couples in Dorking, England
Dorking /ˈdɔːr.kɪŋ/ is a market town in Surrey, England between Ranmore Common in the North Downs range of hills and Leith Hill in the Greensand Ridge, centred 21 miles (34 km) from London.
Restaurants in Dorking
1. The Gin Kitchen
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
The Gin Kitchen is a distillery in the Surrey Hills crafting fabulous spirits with love, laughter, passion & skill. We make just 30 bottles at a time in our beautiful copper pot stills, so each bottle receives our special care & attention. We offer tours, tasting experiences and distilling experiences as well as a shop and cocktail bar.
Reviewed By Pocu1000
The location is stunning, you could go for a lovely long walk and come back to a fab beautifully laid out and covid safe bar to relax in for a few hours (in our case all day). Gins are lovely, cocktails divine and love the food vans on certain days. Really lovely outside and inside spaces, and you can buy a bottle to take home and continue drinking - bonus Love the Ginger cat gin myself and the lavender liqueur. Highly recommend visiting. Designate a driver for your first visit, although easy to grab taxi from Dorking.
2. Leith Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
Reviewed By JanineW264 - Addlestone, United Kingdom
We parked in the Windy Car Park, which I believe is the closest car park, but not necessarily the easiest way to Leith Hill Tower. It was approximately 1/4 of a mile up very steep (and slippery steps, because of the inclement weather), and I would add, that if you have a lung condition, you would need to stop every few seconds to regain your breath - however, it took me about 20 minutes and I was very glad I did as the views are spectacular - 360 degrees from the top of the tower, which is free to National Trust Members. There are areas to stop off on the way up and there are picnic areas at the summit, as well as hot and cold drinks etc. There are easy to follow signposts to get one up and down the hill. I chatted with a very nice lady serving the drinks who recommended the Starveall car park as being the gentler, albeit slightly longer climb. One can also access Leith Hill from Ranmore Common and there were plenty of youth (probably doing their DofE) stopping to rest, have a drink and take in the views! My husband climbed the tower, which I attempted, but it really was a very tight, circular, and at times unlit stair case, so I came back down, but he said that at the top of the tower there is a table of what you are looking at view-wise. I would really welcome the National Trust placing such tables outside the tower for those who are unable/don't choose to climb the tower. It's truly a beautiful part of the North Downs and I would highly recommend it, despite the rainfall we endured!
3. Box Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 710 reviews
Reviewed By pastordavid2018 - Dorking, United Kingdom
Well worth the drive up, the viewing platform gives a unique vistas, and the NT Cafe have good refreshments
4. The Kings Arms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By pointmanphil - Dorking, United Kingdom
Great food, selection of ales and friendly pub atmosphere. Best pub on the High St by far. Recommend!
5. Denbies Wine Estate Ltd
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,015 reviews
The Denbies Estate, based in Dorking, Surrey, has been family owned and run since 1984. Denbies vineyard was planted in 1986, and since then has become one of the largest wine producers in the UK. Denbies core business is agriculture and we are pleased to be able to offer visitors an insight into wine production in the UK. Denbies wine now competes on an international level, including multiple gold awards for sparkling wine production, the first ever gold for an English rose wine and most recently an international gold for Denbies Noble Harvest Dessert wine. We are honoured over the years to have welcomed several members of the Royal family to the estate, completing the historical connections which date back to Prince Albert in 1851. The Surrey Hills is a beautiful area to live in and while you are visiting do take advantage of the surrounding areas, including 7 miles of public footpath which trail throughout the vineyard. Thank you for visiting Denbies Wine Estate. If you have any questions during your visit, our staff will be very happy to assist you in any matter. We very much hope that you will enjoy your visit.
Reviewed By 565anniel - London, United Kingdom
Visited on the weekend to enjoy the Sparkling Vineyard Tour and Afternoon Tea Hamper and a night's stay at Denbies Hotel with my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary. We really enjoyed the Vineyard Tour train ride and our tour guide Geoff was delightful - he was very knowledgeable and easy going, glass of sparkling wine on the way up was also a great plus. Due to weather conditions, the Afternoon Tea Hamper had to be hosted indoors rather than on the lawn (which was no problem as we were informed of this prior to the tour). Each hamper was served at a social distance from others also enjoying their hampers and although presented in takeaway paper boxes/ paper cups to ensure covid precautions were adhered to, it was still yummy and good serving sizes for 2 people. Would like to come back and experience Afternoon Tea when things return to 'normal'. Overall, found the experience very enjoyable and good value for money. We also enjoyed our short stay at the hotel. Check in with Peter was very quick and easy - all done behind a screen for coronavirus protection. Dinner and breakfast times had to be pre-booked and orders taken in advance to ensure social distancing measures could take place/ no waiting times for food. We booked a great room with a vineyard view which was lovely to look at in the sunshine. Slept well in a firm, comfy bed and was impressed with the bathroom amenities. For dinner, we were able to reserve seating in one of the private outdoor huts, a great spot to watch the sun set over the vineyard with a glass of wine. With good weather, we really felt like we were abroad and everyone at Denbies made us feel really welcome. If you're looking for a nice little staycation just outside of London, would highly recommend a weekend away at Denbies. Thanks for such a lovely time, we had a great anniversary!
6. Dorking Halls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 97 reviews
The best place in Surrey for stand-up comedy, live music, children's shows, all the latest films, live event screenings and much more.
Reviewed By sceblk - Falkirk, United Kingdom
Visited Dorking Halls in December 19 to see Aladdin panto. The cast were enthusiastic and obviously had great rapport with each other. We all laughed so much. Just the tonic we needed! The venue was easy to get to. Reasonably priced parking nearby, which was free after 6pm and on Sundays. 10 minute walk from train station. We liked the set up of the venue too. Great sight lines for viewing stage. All the venue staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. All in all a great night out in a fab venue.
7. Leith Hill Place
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By suethack123 - London, United Kingdom
Leith Hill Place sits high on Leith Hill surrounded by the most stunning Surrey scenery and vast expanses of rolling countryside. I take my family and grandchildren here regularly and they always love to come - in fact my grandchildren ask to come to "Vaughan Williams House" more than anywhere else! There is plenty of room for children to play and for families to just take in the country air outside the house or you can sit in the cafe garden with a freshly home-made cake or scone and tea or coffee. The car park (which has picnic benches) and the walk through the Rhododendron Wood to the house are a treat. The big old house is lovely to explore. You can go into the spacious different rooms and see the wonderful views through picturesque windows, play a piano or read the excellent display about Ralph Vaughan Williams life. The humble piano that RVW used for many compositions is there to admire too. I recommend the "Soundscape" a beautifully crafted audio biography of the Composer in the upstairs rooms. You can find out some history of the Wedgwood family and Charles Darwin who also lived in the house at various times. National Trust often have seasonal activities for children. We visited recently and there was a Halloween theme with an activity which my 9 year old grandson enjoyed and the fireplaces were dressed accordingly - it looked so beautiful. It is a very reasonable price to get into the house - £6 for adults and less for children. The volunteers are all very welcoming and helpful. It is open from March until the end of October. There is an air of magic here which always draws us back. I love the peaceful feeling and being able to de-stress in this beautiful place. We've been many times and can't wait for March 2020!
