Dorking

From Freepedia

Dorking is also a type of chicken breed.

**Dorking**
Statistics
Population:
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for TQ170498
Administration
District:	Mole Valley
County:	Surrey
Region:	South East England
Nation:	England
Other
Ceremonial county:	Surrey
Traditional county:	Surrey
Post office and telephone
Post town:	Dorking
Postcode:	RH4
Dialling code:	01306
Politics
UK Parliament:	Mole Valley
European Parliament:	South East England
Image:England flag large.png

Dorking is a market town nestling under the North Downs approximately 25 miles south of London, in Surrey, England.

1 History and Development
2 Topography, natural history and local landscape
3 Famous residents and literary connections
4 Administration
5 Location and Transport
6 Education and Emergency services facilities
7 Leisure and Culture
8 External links

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]

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. 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 in 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.

Famous residents and literary connections

Laurence Olivier was born in the town. 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.

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 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.

The town is also the site of the fictional "Battle of Dorking" written by Lt. Col. Sir George Tomkyns Chesney in 1871.

Administration

Dorking is the administrative centre of Mole Valley District Council.

Location and Transport

Dorking issituated on the A24 north to south route from London to Horsham and Worthing.

The town has three railway stations, Dorking railway station, on the Epsom to Horsham line, and Dorking Deepdene and Dorking West on the Guildford to Ashurst line.

Education and Emergency services facilities

Various Primary Schhols cater for 5-11 year olds. Secondary education is largely provided for by the Ashcombe School, and the Priory Church of England Voluntary Aided School. Dorking has its own General Hospital, Police station, and fire station.

Leisure and Culture

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. 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'.

Facilities and features of the town include: