WELCOME TO
MOLE VALLEY HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2024
This year, Mole Valley proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of Heritage Open Days, a milestone that highlights three decades of community engagement and cultural preservation. This annual event offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich historical and cultural tapestry of the district, with free access to a variety of heritage sites, including historic buildings, beautiful gardens, and areas of natural beauty that are typically closed to the public. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, exhibitions, and talks that bring to
life the fascinating stories and significant contributions of Mole Valley’s past. The theme this year is ‘Routes –Networks – Connections’ which emphasises the rich tapestry of pathways, relationships, and interactions that have shaped the district’s history. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply curious about your local heritage, this year’s programme has something new for everyone to discover!
The Mole Valley Heritage Open Days Committee
INDEX
TALKS
WALKS
Event Information
All Heritage Open Days events are free to attend. Pre-booking isn’t required unless stated. All information is subject to change without notice; please see the Heritage Open Days website for the latest information for each event.
Due to their historic nature, some properties are only partly accessible. Please check the individual property listing for further information or contact the property owner directly.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TALKS
Launch Event: Charting The Changes
Friday 6 September: 7.30pm
Crossways Community Baptist Church, Junction Road, Dorking, RH4 3HB
From the earliest times to the present day, maps have depicted developments in the Mole Valley area. In this talk, we’ll show a selection of such maps, looking particularly at the evolution of ‘Routes, Networks and Connections’. At the launch event for Heritage Open Days in Mole Valley, speakers from The Charles Close Society for the Study of Ordnance Survey Maps will present a variety of maps from many sources and ages, highlighting such topics as land-use, topography, transport, urban growth, leisure and recreation. For yet another perspective, they’ll also look at maps of the local area compiled by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.
Thursday 12 September: 7.30pm
Green Room Theatre, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG
During the Second World War, 330,000 Canadians passed through Aldershot Camp, training there before taking up the defence of the UK while most of the British soldiers were away. This talk will focus on the Canadians stationed in Surrey.
Join local and military historian, Lorranie Spindler to hear what life was really like for the Canadians: from their arrival as raw recruits, to the D-Day landings and the end of the war –when more than 40,000 war brides left England for a new life in Canada.
In total, 23,000 Canadians were based in Surrey, often occupying large country houses requisitioned by the military. Headley Court was the headquarters of the Canadian Corps and High Ashurst housed the Royal Canadian Engineers. As part of the Home Defence Programme the Canadians constructed concrete pillboxes across Surrey and later in the war practised their skills on Headley Heath in preparation for D-Day.
M25 – Friend or Foe?
Friday 13 September: 7.30pm
Leatherhead Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8AH
Whilst we know the M25, how much do we really know about it?
Roger Mendham will look at the history behind the construction of the roads that were joined up to create the M25 which opened on 29 October 1986.
Expect some fascinating early photographs of the construction phase, as well as interesting facts as we examine this important feature of northern Mole Valley.
The Birth, Life & Death of the River Mole
Sunday 8 September: 3pm – 5.30pm
Follett Hall, Dorking URC, 53 West Street, Dorking, RH4 1BS
The Mole Valley Geological Society presents a talk, field trip picnic & virtual field trip showing how geology and climate have shaped the valley of the River Mole.
3.00pm - Talk: The Birth, Life & Death of the River Mole, by Professor Richard Selley. Using polychromatic computer-generated geofilms the talk will illustrate the subsidence, uplift and erosion of the Weald from the Triassic Period, some 200 million years ago to the present day.
4.00pm - Field Trip Picnic
Either traditional: Squashed banana sandwich, crumbled stale fruit cake and a can of warm fizzy drink
Or: Tea, coffee and biscuits, possibly even chocolate ones!
4.30pm - Virtual geologic field trip showing how the Ice Age sculpted the landscape of the River Mole valley, by Dr Mark Eller. Listen to a talk illustrated by maps, field sketches, photographs and panoramic film clips of the Mole Valley seen from Box Hill and from the Pilgrim’s Way where it runs along the top of Denbies vineyard.
Stane Street: The Roman Highway in Mole Valley
Tuesday 10 September: 7.30pm
Green Room Theatre, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG
Stane Street was probably constructed in the AD 50s to provide a direct all-weather route from Chichester to the newly founded trading settlement at London. Popular myth envisages Roman soldiers marching about, imposing Empire, but this is far from the truth. Stane Street linked the two main trading axes into Britain, the Solent and the Thames, as well as the newly established client kingdom of Togidubnus and the rapidly developing new town, already becoming the financial centre of the Roman province.
As a major Roman highway, the road was provided with so-called posting stations at regular intervals, including one in the Dorking area, the location of which is still open to question. The posting stations catered for the imperial post system but also served other travellers and business traffic. We can assess some of that traffic from finds on local Roman sites but must fill out the likely picture using evidence from nearby provinces.
This talk by Dr David Bird will consider why the road was built, who used it and its impact on the surrounding area throughout its history.
WALKS
Dorking Museum – Betchworth Castle Walk
Sunday 8 September: 2pm – 3.30pm
Betchworth Castle, Reigate Road, Opposite Hillier’s Garden Centre, Dorking, RH4 1NY
Enjoy a guided tour of the Betchworth Castle ruins with a Dorking Museum guide. The castle was built in the 11th century and later bought by Henry Hope to add to his Deepdene estate. Much of the masonry was removed for work elsewhere and the castle was allowed to collapse to create the picturesque ruin seen today. Visitors will be able to access the usually locked castle enclosure to explore the heart of the ruins.
Dorking Museum – Historic Dorking Pub Walk
Saturday 7 September: 6pm – 7.30pm
Dorking Museum, 62 West Street, Dorking, RH4 IBS
Join a Dorking Museum guide for an introduction to the buildings that have housed pubs, coaching inns, or beer houses in the town centre. Many of these sprung up around the developing transport hubs of Dorking and your guide will focus on how the history of these buildings is intertwined with the routes and networks of the town. Denbies
Denbies Wine Estate, Bradley Lane, Dorking, RH5 6AA
Take a self-guided tour of the Denbies Wine Estate, taking in the magnificent views and exploring all areas of the vineyard. There are two different trails to explore. The first is a family friendly route along the gentler slopes and the second is the Vineyard Explorer Trail, which takes you across the wider estate.
A Walk on the Ancient Ermyn Way
PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED
Saturday 14 September: 2pm – 4.30pm
Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, KT22 8UX. Opposite the entrance to ExxonMobil.
This guided walk of the ancient Ermyn Way in Ashtead will explore its historical features, both archaeological and industrial, and explore the biodiversity of the ancient boundary hedges.
The walk, led by Professor David L Hawksworth CBE, John Rowley, and Professor Patricia Wiltshire, will begin near what is now the ExxonMobil Offices, and explain former industries on the site, including the Goblin Teasmade Factory, why this part of Ashtead has a Leatherhead postcode, the history of Milner House and the gory past of a Saxon execution and burial site.
The walk will take in protected woodland and hedges whose composition indicates they date from the Bronze Age. The route of Stane Street will be visible at points, and will explore the biodiversity, including the variety of plants and fungi (especially lichens) along the field margins.
Introducing the Wood Wide Web
PRE-BOOKING
Thursday 12 September: 2pm – 4pm
The Nower, Dorking, RH4 3BN. Meet at the entrance off Coldharbour Lane, opposite Harrow Road West.
A guided walk in search of the Wood-Wide Web, an underground network of fungal threads connecting trees and exchanging nutrients. You’ll search for these and other fungi on The Nower Local Nature Reserve, Dorking.
Professor David L Hawksworth CBE will dig to reveal fungal sheaths on tree roots, find some restricted to particular kinds of tree and some which are not so fussy. He will also reveal what other fungi can be found on the trees themselves, on fallen branches, and also in leaf litter, and explain their key ecological roles that are so important to woodland health. You will also be introduced to some of the commoner lichen fungi found in this habitat.
Nature’s Highways: The Hedgerows of Norbury Park
Thursday 12 September: 10.30am –12.30pm
Young Street Car Park, Young Street, Fetcham, KT22 9DS
Hedgerows are often regarded as “nature’s highways” and for very good reasons. Join Steph Boore of the Surrey Wildlife Trust on a guided walk to learn about the many benefits hedgerows bring to nature.
You’ll hear about the heritage craft of hedge laying, and why it’s so important for hedgerow management. Take in the sounds and sights of nature along the way: chalk grassland and woodland plants, birds and butterflies.
Friday 13 September: 10.30am
Ashtead Common Estate Office, Woodfield Road, Ashtead, KT21 2DU
Join lead ranger Shaun Waddell on a guided walk over the wooded trails and open spaces of Ashtead Common, to take a look at the history of the veteran oaks, the age-old technique of pollarding and how it provides home to rare invertebrates, animals and fungi.
Ashtead Common Guided Walk
PROPERTIES & EVENTS
St Mary’s Church, Pixham
Sunday 8 September: 11.30am – 4pm
St. Mary’s Church, Pixham Lane, Pixham, RH4 1PT
St Mary’s is a simple but much-admired barrelvaulted church, designed by the celebrated Edwardian architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. Displays will highlight the history of Pixham, and the part taken by a remarkable woman called Mary Mayo.
St Barnabas Church, Ranmore: The Church on the North Downs Way –or is it The Pilgrim’s Way?
Saturday 14 September: 2pm – 5pm
Sunday 15 September: 2pm – 4pm
St Barnabas, Ranmore Common Road, Ranmore Common, Dorking, RH5 6SP
St Barnabas was built in 1859 as the church for the Denbies Estate by George Baron Ashcombe. The interior is a Victorian time capsule with much local and national history
to be explored. The church is on the North Downs Way and frequently welcomes walkers on this long-distance path. Older maps mark the route across Ranmore as the Pilgrim’s Way although there is uncertainty about whether this is the historical route of the pilgrimage.
Downs Solicitors
Sunday 8 & Saturday 14 September: 10.30am – 3pm Wednesday 11 September: 2pm – 4pm
156 High Street, Dorking, RH4 1BQ
As guardians of a remarkable listed building and its enchanting secret garden, Downs invites you to step through the doors of their esteemed law firm and discover the captivating tales that have unfolded within their walls over the centuries. Their historic building stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Dorking, serving as a witness to the town’s remarkable past.
But the allure doesn’t end there! Venture into their walled secret garden, a hidden gem brimming with Dorking’s historical charm. Stroll through their small but full of character pathways adorned with vibrant blooms, while relishing in the serenity that can only be found in a space steeped in history.
To make this day even more special, they invite you to join them for a cake and a perfectly brewed cup of tea. It will be a time to relax, mingle with fellow heritage enthusiasts, and savour the flavours of tradition.
Dorking’s Famous Caves
Saturday 14 September: 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm
Opposite Waitrose, 33 South Street, Dorking, Rh4 2JZ
Discover underground Dorking with an expert guide and learn about the geology, history, and legends of the caves. These man-made caves provide some fascinating connections to Dorking’s businesses over the ages. Children over five are welcome with an adult. There are 47 steps down to the mystery chamber... and back up again!
Dorking United Reformed Church ‘Walking the Way’
Saturday 14 September: 2pm – 5pm
Dorking URC, 53 West Street, Dorking, RH4 1BS
Dorking United Reformed Church are pleased to be opening their buildings and gardens for a chance to view the various displays that have built up over the ‘Walking the Way’ theme the church has been following for the last few months.
The church that is now Dorking URC has been part of that Christian journey for over 350 of the 2000 or so years that people have been ‘following The Way’, for much of that time on the current site. In the Worship area, a video presentation and window displays built up from material in the church archive will help tell a lot of that story, sharing insights into the work of the church, the buildings, and the people that have trod that path over the years. The tranquil garden will contain one of the imaginative garden displays that the church is well known for in the town, built up with contributions from across the church community, from toddlers to the elderly.
St Martin’s Church, Dorking
Saturday 7 September: 10am – 4pm Sunday 8 September: 12pm – 4pm
St Martin’s Church, Church Street, Dorking, RH4 1DW
St Martin’s is one of the great churches of Surrey. Externally its 210ft spire, one of the tallest spires in England, is a feature of the landscape for miles around. Internally it is a treasure trove of beautiful, decorative elements ranging from its pulpit to the stained glass and opus sectile.
As Heritage Open Days features the theme of ‘Routes - Networks - Connections’, St Martin’s celebrates its 150 year connections to the designers, past and present, who made this wonderful building what it is today. The connections predate the site of the current building, stretching back to Roman times, and its networks lie deep within the local community it serves. On Saturday you can visit the bell tower and try your hand at bellringing. There will also be a lunchtime organ recital with tea and cakes in the afternoon. On both days you can explore the church’s connections and routes to places and people far and wide through features such as the stained glass and memorials within the building.
Dorking Museum: Routes – Networks – Connections: Model Making Extravaganza
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
Dorking Museum, 62 West Street, Dorking, RH4 1BS
Join the Museum team for a transportthemed model-making session using specially commissioned cut out card kits, unique to Dorking Museum, to make models of vehicles from Dorking’s history.
This family activity will tie in with Dorking Museum’s autumn exhibition ‘Sweeping through History’ which features local company Johnstons (who have occupied a site in Dorking for 100 years). Exhibits will explore the development of these essential vehicles from their infancy to the present day and
the impact of the company (now owned by Bucher Municipal) on the town. The exhibition will run throughout the Heritage Open Days period. Free model kits will also be available for children to take away during this time. All children must be supervised while taking part.
Mullins House & Coffee Shop
Friday 6, Saturday 7, Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 September: 9.30am – 4pm
58 West Street, Dorking, RH4 1BS
Mullins House takes its name from former Dorking resident, William Mullins, a local shoemaker, and Pilgrim Father, who travelled to America on the Mayflower in 1620 with his wife Alice, daughter Priscilla and son Joseph.
The building dates from between 1568 and 1610 and is the only example of a Pilgrim Father’s home still in existence. You will be able to read more about William’s journey to the New World which is printed on canvas and hangs proudly on the original wall in Mullins House.
Since the owners bought the business in August 2016, they have welcomed various generations of Priscilla and John Alden’s descendants. In 2019 they visited Priscilla and John’s house in Duxbury Massachusetts and since then have established a warm relationship with both Alden Kindred of America and the Mayflower society. They have also started the process of twinning Dorking with Duxbury.
The Green Room Theatre
Sunday 15 September: 10am – 4pm
Behind Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG
The Green Room Theatre was built during WWII by the Canadian Army as barracks for their troops prior to shipping out for D-Day.
Dorking Dramatic & Operatic Society (DDOS) moved in during the 1960’s and has called it home ever since. They have converted three huts into backstage, dressing rooms, 86-seat theatre & bar and use a fourth one as a unit for building & storing sets, props & wardrobe!
Members of the society will be serving up teas, coffees & cakes, costumed in appropriate period dress, and will take you on a guided tour around the theatre which has been used for numerous musicals and plays over the last 60 years.
DDOS is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and will have a fascinating collection of programmes, posters, and theatre & cast pictures from down the years on display.
Saturday 14 September: 1pm – 5pm
Yewdells, Dungates Lane, Buckland, Betchworth, RH3 7BD
Buckland Windmill is the only surviving windpowered sawmill in the UK, built in the 1860s. It was restored between 1995 – 2004 and now has a circular saw and lathe which is powered for demonstration purposes. Visitors can see a new photographic display of the traction engines that used to be on site to power the saws. The garden of ‘Yewdells’, a listed timberframed cottage will also be open.
St Michael’s Church, Betchworth
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
Sunday 15 September: 11am – 4pm
St. Michael’s Church, Church Street, Betchworth, RH3 7DH
St Michaels is a beautiful church, set in the picturesque village of Betchworth, between
Buckland Windmill
Dorking and Reigate. Film enthusiasts may recognise it as the first church in the 90s blockbuster, ‘4 Weddings & A Funeral’.
The earliest reference to a church in Betchworth is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. St Michaels is now a much remodelled building, retaining the history of the parish over the last thousand years.
Visitors will be able to visit the bell tower, listen to history talks and indulge in tea and cake!
St
Michael & All Angels, Mickleham: Churchyard
Connections with Nature
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
St. Michael and All Angels Church, Old London Road, Mickleham, RH5 6DU
The parish of Mickleham has appointed an Eco group to look at ways in which they can connect with and protect nature around us. With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers much has been achieved. Join them on a walk through the long grass, see the seasonal pond and orchard as well as the hedgerows that have all been planted to encourage local flora and fauna, or simply sit and enjoy the peace; much as J. M. W. Turner did when he painted the church.
Inside the church you can explore the history of a building that dates from Norman times as well as enjoying home-made cakes and refreshments.
The A24: Mickleham’s Old London Road & the Mickleham Bypass
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
St Michael & All Angels Church, Old London Road, Mickleham, RH5 6DU
For centuries travellers from London to Dorking and beyond passed through Mickleham in the Mole Gap. This display will feature photographs and maps of the route before and after the building of the Mickleham Bypass in 1937.
By the early 1930s traffic through the tiny village of Mickleham had become very congested and the decision was made to build a bypass - one of the first in the country. Several schemes were proposed. Work involved the acquisition of land (including the village’s cricket ground), filling in a large swallow hole, new roads, and bridges. The display will include the local history group’s archive of documents and illustrations of the road and its users throughout the years including accounts of the time when the Mickleham Bypass became a huge ‘car park’ to store equipment and vehicles in preparation for D-Day.
Dorking Brewery
Friday 6 September: 4pm
Saturday 7 September: 11.30am
Thursday 12 September: 4pm
Friday 13 September: 4pm
Saturday 14 September: 11.30am
Aldhurst Farm, Temple Lane, Capel, RH5 5HJ
Situated in the picturesque village of Capel amidst the breathtaking Surrey Hills, Dorking Brewery has earned prestigious awards for its exceptional small-scale brewing operation. Come and explore the brewery to gain insight into our essence, activities, operating hours, location, and the driving passion that fuels their craft.
When you visit Dorking Brewery, you’ll have the opportunity to witness firsthand the dedication and craftsmanship that go into every batch of beer they produce. Gain a deeper understanding of the brewery’s ethos, experience the diverse range of activities, and see the passion that drives the team to create exceptional brews. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or simply curious about the art of brewing, a visit to Dorking Brewery is sure to be a memorable and enriching experience.
Keymer Handmade Clay Roof Tiles & Wienerberger Factory Tour
Saturday 7 September: 9.30am – 2pm
Ewhurst Works, Horsham Road, Walliswood, RH5 5QH
Wienerberger’s Ewhurst factory is one of the largest brick manufacturing sites in the Southeast of England. The site opened in the 1920s and has an overall area in excess of 350 acres including large areas of historic woodland and farmland, which help to screen the quarry and factory operations. The factory uses Weald clay from the extensive reserves in the adjacent Smokejacks clay pit. This quarry site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geological characteristics and was the source of two of the most significant finds of dinosaur remains in the UK. The site was previously recognised as ‘Ockley Works’, home of the famous Double Diamond brick, from the 1920s right through to 2004, when Wienerberger Ltd acquired ownership of the site from its previous owners ‘the brick business Ltd’, with the newest factory on site having been built in 1999.
The factory is split into two areas. The main factory makes Wienerberger Bricks, and at the back of the factory, Keymer clay tiles are made by hand. Keymer tiles have been made using the same methods for over 400 years. As well as the opportunity to make your own Keymer tile, you will see bricks being both handmade and machine-made.
The Origins of Roads & Tracks in Newdigate
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
Newdigate Village Hall, Kingsland, Newdigate, RH5 5DA
Newdigate for centuries has been a backwater traversed by a few roads and tracks. The village lies on Wealden clay so during the winter months the roads would have been an impassable quagmire and during the summer they would be hard and deeply rutted. Newdigate Local History Society will be showing how the roads developed and how people got around. They’ll also be describing the origins of the current road names you know today.
Buckinghill Farm
Tuesday 10 September: 11am & 2pm
Buckinghill Farm, Beare Green Road, Beare Green, RH5 4PY
The owner will lead the group through this medieval hall house, early 17th Century three
storey parlour wing with 2nd floor jetty, various later extensions, and an 18th Century separately listed barn, all within the beautiful setting of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
During the tour, visitors will be given a brief account of the architectural history of the property. They’ll be able to see historic features including three inglenook fireplaces, a bread oven, a later brick cooking range, stone flooring and the exposed part of the original crown post roof with its smoke-blackened braces. There are carpenter’s assembly marks, witches and other markings on historic beams and a post with rare carved balls on its capital, plus plenty more.
Surrey Archaeological Society Research Centre
Sunday 15 September: 10.30am – 3.30pm
Hackhurst Lane, Abinger Hammer, RH5 6SE
The Society was established in 1854 ‘for the investigation of subjects connected with the history and antiquities of the County of Surrey’. Despite subsequent changes in administrative boundaries, the Society’s objectives remain substantially the same, and the present area of interest includes the historic county up to the Thames.
The library and research centre will be open, with its collection of journals, books and reports on both archaeology and local history. There will also be a working party studying flint artefacts along with other displays.
Leith Hill Place & Tower
Saturday 7, Sunday 8 September.
House 11am – 5pm. Tower 11am – 4pm
Saturday 14, Sunday 15 September.
House 11am – 5pm. Tower 11am – 4pm
Leith Hill Lane, Holmbury St Mary, RH5 6LY
Step inside Leith Hill Place, a welcoming home from home nestled in the Surrey Hills. Childhood home of one of England’s greatest composers Ralph Vaughan Williams, Leith Hill is a place of creativity and inspiration.
This year the house is honouring its connections with naturalist Charles Darwin (Ralph Vaughan William’s great uncle) who was a regular visitor to Leith Hill Place. Darwin and his niece Lucy, conducted experiments about the activity and movement of earthworms, and you can still see his ‘worm stone’ in the grounds today.
As part of our celebration of the role of invertebrates, local artists and students from University of the Creative Arts Surrey have responded to a brief ‘Tread Carefully.’ Come along and experience their installations, some emotive, some challenging, some inspiring and others humorous.
The Tower is the highest point in South East England with views from Shoreham on the coast to the London skyline. The prospect tower is a folly built by Richard Hull who is buried beneath its walls. The South terrace of the House boasts views across the weald and is the perfect place to dream away the afternoon enjoying homemade cream teas and cakes.
A Stitch in Time
Friday 6 & Saturday 7 September, Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 September: 11am – 4pm
Rowhurst Forge, Fire & Iron Gallery, Oxshott Road, Leatherhead, KT22 0EN
Grade II* Listed Building ‘Rowhurst’ is one of Surrey’s oldest houses, with parts built pre1346, 1346 and 1632.
Rowhurst’s owner Lucy Quinnell, interprets the 2024 Heritage Open Days theme using historic textiles as catalysts for storytelling and as symbols of navigation through life.
From discovering the tale of a beautiful fragment of champagne-coloured silk to the chance to follow a red thread around an outdoor route that reveals ancient tracks and several millennia of local history, Lucy hopes you will enjoy the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this enigmatic remnant of landscape and glimpse the past journeys of people who wove their way here before us.
Visitors will be able to wander through the ground floor, semi-basement, and garden of Rowhurst under their own steam, along with seeing the live shaping of red-hot iron in Rowhurst Forge next door.
Finds from several recent digs by the Surrey Archaeological Society will also be on display.
St Giles’ Church, Ashtead
Sunday 8 September: 2pm – 7pm
St Giles’ Church, Park Lane, Ashtead, KT21 1EJ
St Giles’ is a 12th Century church, built initially as a private chapel for a Norman Lord, Laurence of Rouen. It was rebuilt in the 15th & 16th centuries when the tower was added. Major restorations took place during the Victorian era, with further restoration taking place in 2009.
There will be a scavenger hunt for children and guided tours of the churchyard. The Prayer Room, garden and Prayer Labyrinth will be open. From 3pm, visitors can climb the bell tower and meet the bell ringers. Later, there is an all-age singing workshop and a special Heritage Open Days Sunday Choral Communion.
Ashtead Rye Meadows Wetlands
Open daily: 10am – 4pm. Volunteers on hand Sunday 8 September only
Fairholme Crescent, Ashtead, KT21 2HN
In the last 12 years, the landowners and volunteers have been creating a wetland area alongside the Rye Brook. During that time, they have planted a Jubilee Wood, reshaped riverbanks, and created ponds and scrapes to encourage the biodiversity of the area. They have laid a hard surface on the two public footpaths to enable circular walks to take place without the need to cross muddy ground. Volunteers have recently taken on a new skill of hedge laying and the results of this can be seen adjacent to Footpath 24.
They have also created a Centenary Field commemorating those Ashtead residents who fell in the Great War and constructed a wooden walkway to the ponds where there is new seating.
Creating Clay The Roman Way
Saturday 7 September: 12pm – 4pm
Ashtead Common Estate Office, Woodfield Road, Ashtead, KT21 2DU
Join the team from Leatherhead Museum and Ashtead Common Rangers to find out about the colourful history of the Villa and tile kilns, and get hands-on by shaping and decorating your own clay tile or finger pot the Roman way!
Ashtead Common has a rich history with Scheduled Ancient Monuments on site including
the Lowther Villa and Roman Tile Kilns. This fascinating site pioneered Roman clay tile industries in England as far back as the 1st Century AD, as the Romans made conquest across the South East. Local clay was quarried, shaped and fired using experimental techniques, then distributed across the local area for fine villa rooves and steam-heated bath houses. Whilst the remains of the kilns and villas are safely covered underground, the site speaks through its boundary ditches, quarry pits and spoil heaps as well as the nearby ancient earthworks on the crown of the hill, topped by the fabulous King Oak.
The clay activity requires pre-booking in advance.
Romans at Leatherhead Museum
Friday 6, Thursday 12 & Friday 13
September: 1pm – 4pm
Saturday 7 & 14 September: 10am – 2pm
Leatherhead Museum, 64 Church Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8DP
Come and see an exhibition about the original archaeological dig on Ashtead Common, plus items newly acquired by the museum. Meet some time travelling Romans and learn some Roman crafts like tile decoration, pinch pots or spinning you own wool yarn.
St John’s School, Leatherhead
Saturday 14 September: 10am & 12pm
St Johns School, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8SP
St John’s School was founded in 1851 by the Reverend Ashby Haslewood, vicar of St Mark’s, Hamilton Terrace in St John’s Wood, north London, to educate the sons of clergymen. In 1854, the school moved outside the parish boundaries of St Mark’s into neighbouring Kilburn. This was the first of three moves before the school moved to Leatherhead in 1872 with just 67 pupils.
Since then, the school has continued to expand and is now a community of over 850 pupils. Set on 50 acres, the school site is a splendid mixture of old and new, with mid-Victorian architecture complemented by a state-ofthe-art Science Centre, modern classroom blocks and boarding houses. The school’s Old Chapel re-opened in April 2014 after extensive renovation and restoration.
Former pupils include the architect, Lord Rogers; novelist and playwright, Sir Anthony Hope; legendary dance band leader, Victor Silvester; missionary and modern martyr, Father Vivian Redlich and the renowned archaeologist, Sir Leonard Woolley.
Leatherhead Library
Friday 6 & Saturday 7 September, Tuesday
10 to Saturday 14 September: 9.30am – 5pm
70 Church Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8DP
Leatherhead Library is housed in The Mansion, a Grade II listed building built on the site of a Tudor Mansion. In Georgian times, Leatherhead was a day’s ride from London, so wealthy merchants had a second home in the country. The site has an interesting and varied history which will be explored in a display set up in the library.
A Call to Arms: The History of the Surrey Yeomanry at Fetcham Park
Saturday 14 September: Time 10am – 5pm
Fetcham Park House, Lower Road, Fetcham, KT22 9HD
This exhibition traces the history of the Surrey Yeomanry and its connection with Dorking and its
surrounding estates. From its original formation as a voluntary unit in 1794 during the war against Revolutionary France until the First World War, the Surrey Yeomanry was embedded in the lives and concerns of the local wealthy gentry.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a wealth of historical information through anecdotes and photographs that illuminate the cavalry regiment’s involvement in various campaigns and conflicts. This display vividly brings to life the people and places associated with the esteemed military unit spanning two centuries, including Captain Sydney Thornhill Hankey, a relative of the original owners of Fetcham Park.
Fetcham Park, a Grade II* listed building built in 1705 as a private home and now a serviced office, meeting and private events venue, is proud to collaborate with Dorking Museum in bringing this insightful exhibition to the public for Heritage Open Days in the Fetcham area of Mole Valley.
St Mary’s Church, Fetcham
Saturday 14 September: 9am – 4pm
10A The Ridgeway, Fetcham, KT22 9AZ
Visit this 11th Century Grade II listed church, situated next to Fetcham Park House. The newly conserved painting of the Charles II Royal Coat of Arms will be on display with detail and colour not seen for nearly 400 years since its creation.
A talk in the morning will focus on the similarities between St Mary’s and the nearby
St Nicholas’ in Great Bookham. An afternoon talk will highlight the Civil War years, the restoration of the monarchy and the painting of the Royal Coat of Arms.
Polesden Lacey
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September: 10am – 5pm
Polesden Lacey House, Dorking, RH5 6BD
With glorious views across the rolling Surrey Hills, stunning gardens and acres of countryside to explore, Polesden Lacey house and estate is the perfect place to enjoy a day out with family and friends.
The genius of the garden is its setting with glorious views of Ranmore Common and rolling parkland. A landscape virtually unchanged since medieval times.
There will be live music on both days from 2pm, rides on the Woolsey Miniature Railway (£2pp), and a visit from Grizwald the Griffin. Children can adventure in Grizwald’s Straw Fort, with a maze and lots of play equipment!
Combat Stress Open Day
Friday 6 September: 10.45am – 2pm
Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, KT22 0BX
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, based at Tyrwhitt House in Leatherhead, providing treatment since 1919. Visitors will meet the CEO, members of staff and hear directly from veterans whose lives have been transformed by their treatment.
Slyfield House
Saturday 14 September: 11am
Slyfield House, Cobham Road, Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, KT11 3QE
Slyfield House is a Grade I listed Jacobean house with a rich history. Visitors will be able to take a private tour with the owners and discover the many original features.
Lisa Allen Dance & Arts
Saturday 14 September
Leatherhead Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8AH
Lisa Allen Dance & Arts would like to invite you to join us for their day of performing arts. Classes will be available in Acro, Ballet, Choir, Musical Theatre, Modern, Tap & Street. The focus on this day will be fun classes based around the theme ‘Routes – Networks –Connections’.
Leatherhead Art Club – Inspired by Mole Valley
Friday 13 & Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
The Leatherhead Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8SE
Leatherhead Art Club, a well-established group of local artists, will be exhibiting a selection of
paintings in a range of styles and subjects, all inspired by the lovely Mole Valley. Greetings cards will also be on sale and members of the club will be available for discussion and comment.
Surrey Figurative Artists –Connecting Lines
Friday 13 September: 10am – 8.30pm
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
Leatherhead Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8AH
Surrey Figurative Artists are a group cooperative of local artists who meet regularly in Leatherhead Institute to draw and paint in various mediums from professional life models. This exhibition will show what they create both in representation of the figure and other work, including landscape, still life and printmaking. They are an eclectic and talented group who are connected through their creativity.
Members will be on hand to chat about the work or visitors can simply come along to view and enjoy the exhibition.
Many of the original pieces of framed and unframed work are available to buy, but there is no obligation... just come along and enjoy!
Lowfield Heath Windmill, Charlwood
Saturday 7, Sunday 8, Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September: 2pm – 5pm
Lowfield Heath Windmill, Russ Hill, Charlwood, RH6 0EQ
Lowfield Heath Windmill is a Grade II listed building. Originally built in 1737 at Lowfield Heath, it worked until the 1880s before falling into disrepair over the next 100 years. It was rescued by a newly formed trust in 1987, dismantled and moved to its present site in Charlwood then restored to working order over the following 15 years. This mill is the twelth oldest post mill out of the fifty remaining in the UK.
Within the roundhouse there are display boards and a short film will be running.
Seating is available within the area surrounding the mill where delicious tea and cakes will be available.
St Nicolas Church, Great Bookham
Saturday 7 September & Saturday 14 September: 9am – 5pm
Sunday 8 September & Sunday 15
September: 1pm – 3pm
St Nicolas Church, Great Bookham, Leatherhead, KT23 3PA
Grade I listed St Nicolas Church dates to the 11th century, with many later additions and alterations. Visitors will be able to learn about the many interesting connections with local families including the Slyfields, Shiers, Grevilles and Howards, all of whom are commemorated throughout the building.
The following properties are all part of the Effingham/Little Bookham Heritage Open Days Group, all of which can be visited by walking the Effingham Heritage Trail and Bishop’s Walk. Parking is available at Manor House School, the Tithe Barn and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Refreshments are available at the Methodist Chapel and the Tithe Barn. Heritage Trail maps are available from all properties. This year, a beautifully illustrated Heritage Board has been added by the shop parade in The Street in Effingham. N.B: opening times of the properties vary.
The Village Between Two Ancient Routeways: Exploring the History of Little Bookham
Saturday 14 September: 9.30am – 5pm
Manor Farm Tithe Barn, Manor House Lane, Little Bookham, KT23 4EW
Explore the history of Little Bookham - a tiny village between two ancient routeways which form its western and eastern boundaries, at the impressive 15th Century Grade II listed Tithe Barn, which is one of the largest in Surrey.
A special exhibition of illustrated displays will explain the village’s history and audio visual presentations will cover specific aspects, including the village’s founding in the Anglo Saxon period, its 17th century lord of the manor Sir Benjamin Maddox who owned half of Mayfair and its part in World War 1.
Enjoy tea, coffee and homemade cakes in the Tithe Barn and pretty courtyard garden.
Methodist Chapel
Friday 13 September: 10am – 5pm Saturday 14 September: 10am – 5pm
Chapel Hill, Effingham, KT24 5NB
This Wesleyan Chapel was built from local flint and bricks in 1854 by Non-Conformists who used to worship on Effingham Common in the 1840s.
There will be an exhibition about the Chapel & village history, including; fossils, meteorites, the Surrey dinosaur Baryonyx and local heroes Admiral Lord Howard of Effingham and inventor Sir Barnes Wallis. Enjoy crafts and quizzes as well as an RSPB display.
Enjoy tea, coffee and home-made cakes in the Chapel.
Manor House School
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 5pm
Manor House Lane, Little Bookham, KT23 4EN
Effingham
An elegant 18th Century manor house in Little Bookham, extended in the 19th & 20th Centuries, and the home of the Manor House School since 1937. There will be displays from the archives as well as self-guided tours of the house. It is set in beautifully landscaped grounds which visitors are free to explore.
All Saints’ Church, Little Bookham
Saturday 14 September, 9.30am – 5pm
Manor House Lane, Little Bookham, KT23 4EL
Visit this ancient, Grade II* listed church in a beautiful setting with a 1,300-year-old yew tree and see probably the finest set of hatchments in Surrey.
The hatchments and memorials in the church are mainly of the Pollen/Maddox/Boileau family who were lords of the manor of Little Bookham from around 1640 to 1935. Discover their family tree and fascinating information about the hatchments.
St Lawrence Church, Effingham
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
Church Street, Effingham, KT24 5LX
Visit this Grade II* listed church, with origins in the 12th Century. Sir Barnes Wallis, inventor of the Bouncing Bomb for the Dambusters Raid was an active member of the church and is buried in the churchyard.
Displays will depict the history of the church and its parishioners.
Effingham Golf Club
Saturday 14 September: 9am – 12pm
Guildford Road, Effingham, KT24 5PZ
Experience the history of this magnificent building from Georgian times through to it being the club house to one of England’s top 100 golf courses.
Formerly Effingham House, the Club House originates from the early 18th Century and was
extensively remodelled later in the same period. Internally many early decorative features remain, including an oak beam in the Armada Room, bearing the date 1591. The room is so named because of the early date of the beam and the association with Lord Howard of Effingham.
The course itself was designed and set out in 1927 by Harry Shapland Colt, perhaps England’s most famous course architect, who designed more than 300 courses worldwide. Illustrated displays will explain the history of the house and the Golf Club.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Effingham
Saturday 14 September: 10am – 4pm
Lower Road, Effingham, KT24 5AD
Designed on the early English Saxon style and faced in flint, the church was consecrated by the Catholic Bishop of Southwark in 1913. The church was funded by Mr George Pauling, a railway engineer who made his fortune in South Africa and who lived locally. His grave, along with several others of his family can be found in the cemetery along with a Pieta, carved in Carrara marble, as a memorial to him.
The Grange Centre: Tracing The Threads of Our Historic Connections
Friday 13 September: 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm
The Grange, Rectory Lane, Little Bookham, KT23 4DZ
Visit The Grange Centre for a journey through time, as they reveal those who forged the path for their charity. Guided tours will allow you to explore the house and grounds of this historic site and discover how it has evolved from farm shacks to country house, to The School of Stitchery and Lace and finally into a home for people with learning disabilities.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
ROUTES – NETWORKS – CONNECTIONS EVENT GUIDE
MOLE VALLEY / 5-16 SEPTEMBER 2024