Welcome to Hello Dorking

Your Dorking Business Improvement District. This is your hub for discovering local events, unique shopping experiences, and exclusive offers in the heart of Dorking town centre.

Street view of Dorking town centre with local shops and historic buildings

Explore Our Amazing Businesses

Dorking has over 340 businesses in the town centre making it a great place to shop, eat, drink and spend time in. Check out our business directory and shop local!

Dorking Bids for UK Town of Culture 2028

Dorking is leading a community bid for the first-ever UK Town of Culture title. This national competition offers a ยฃ3 million top prize to transform the winning town through cultural and economic investment. By securing this bid, we can boost our high street and ensure Dorkingโ€™s unique identity is preserved. We are building on a proven track record of success to create a lasting legacy for Dorking.

Help Us Win ยฃ3 Million

A winning bid must be written by the people who live here. We want to celebrate what makes Dorking special and we need your help to tell that story. We define “culture” in the broadest sense: itโ€™s our arts, music, and theatre, but also our local heritage, sports, and the natural beauty of the Surrey Hills. Please share your thoughts by Sunday 8th March 2026 to help us bring this investment home.

Say Hello to Dorking!

Whether you are planning your first visit to the town or you were born and bred here there is plenty to discover in Dorking! We have put together a number of itineraries based around different interests. So if you have a day or longer you’ll find plenty to do in Dorking, the heart of Surrey.

  • 16th January 2026

    Thereโ€™s no need to hibernate this winterโ€”Dorking has plenty to keep you occupied. From cosy corners to community wildlife walks and glowing festivals, here are our simple, feel-good ideas for getting out and about while the frost is on the [...]

  • 9th September 2025

    As part of Dorkingโ€™s Walking Festival, Hello Dorking and Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre are delighted to share a fascinating town centre walk inspired by the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams Although born in Gloucestershire, Vaughan Williams had strong Surrey connections [...]

  • 19th July 2025

    Dorking is beautiful to explore in any type of weather, but when it is pouring with rain you may prefer to discover some of the inside delights of our lovely town. Here's our top things to do in Dorking on [...]

  • 6th May 2025

    This article was updated May 2025 If youโ€™re the kind of traveller who revels in the thrill of an unexpected find, welcome. If youโ€™ve already uncovered Dorkingโ€™s charms, congratulations. Youโ€™re in on the secret. But if you havenโ€™t? Well, letโ€™s [...]

What’s On

Do you have an event coming up in Dorking? Share your details using our simple form and weโ€™ll add your event to the calendar if appropriate.

  • Weekly Activities โ€“ Dorking Tuesdays | 10amโ€“12 noon Badminton โ€“ Oddfellows Hall, Dorking A friendly badminton group run jointly for Mid-Surrey Oddfellows and Dorking U3A members. All welcome. Contact:ย mid-surrey@oddfellows.co.ukย | 01306 877792 Thursdays | 1pm Pickleball โ€“ Oddfellows Hall, Dorking Come and try this fun, fast-growing sportโ€”popular in the USA and China! Itโ€™s new to many [...]

  • Welcome to your weekly roundup of whatโ€™s happening in and around Dorking this weekend. Friday 6th March: ๐Ÿซ›8:30am - 2pm - Dorking Friday Market in St Martins Walk Car Park ๐Ÿ’8:30am - 2pm - Food Float next to Boots Opticians 9:45am & 11am - Rhyme Time at Dorking Nursery ๐Ÿ’ต10:30am - 2:30pm - Bill Clinic [...]

  • Finding ways to reduce energy bills is a hot topic, as is reducing emissions. Making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible is easier than you think, thanks to having a Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) on your doorstep! Last May a community consortium led by Zero Carbon Guildford with Circular Dorking, Energy [...]

  • Aside from being one of Haydnโ€™s most vivid and popular works packed with dramatic chorusesย (The Heavens are tellingโ€ฆ)ย and beautiful ariasย (With verdure cladโ€ฆ)ย the Festival is delivering a dramatic performance under the baton of Festival Conductor โ€“ also BBC Symphony Chorus Director! โ€“ย  Neil Ferris together with Baroque Orchestra Canzona and professional soloists Ellie Laugharne, Jonathan Cooke [...]

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Historic Hikes
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Rail Stations
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Mayflower Pilgrims descended from Dorking
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Hour from London and the Coast

Hello Dorking News

For the latest and greatest news about our brilliant town and the Dorking BID, look no further than Hello Dorking News.

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