The very first Dorking Walking Festival has drawn to a close and what a week it was! Over nine days, hundreds of people joined walks that celebrated the beauty, history, and hidden gems of our town and surrounding countryside.
From gentle nature strolls and wildlife walks to pub trails and brewery stops, there was truly something for everyone. Feedback shows that the festival attracted not just locals, but visitors from across Surrey and even as far as London. Many said they discovered places they’d never visited before, like the views from the top of Denbies or the historic atmosphere inside the King’s Arms pub.
Organisations including Dorking Museum, Friends of Dorking, Mole Valley Ramblers, Include.org, Dorking Camera Club, and many others offered walks that were new to most participants, helping to shine a light on everything our town has to offer. One organiser commented: “It was wonderful to have so many visitors on the walk, including families who had no problem walking 5.5 miles and residents who aren’t (yet!) Ramblers members. We hope this encourages them to join more walks in future.”
Hello Dorking would like to thank all the groups, guides, and volunteers who made this festival possible, as well as the walkers who joined in and helped bring the spirit of adventure to Dorking. Plans are already underway to make next year’s festival even better.
