Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre

The idea for a museum in Dorking was first proposed in 1939, but progress was delayed due to the outbreak of World War II. In June 1945, Captain Evelyn Broadwood of Capel rallied influential local residents to support the creation of a museum that would serve Dorking and the surrounding villages. A dedicated committee was formed and began collecting exhibits to preserve the region’s rich heritage.

One of the most significant donations was the Ashcombe Collection, featuring an extensive array of fossils and bones of extinct animals found locally, alongside a valuable mineral collection, generously donated following the death of Henry Cubitt, 2nd Lord Ashcombe, in the late 1940s.

By 1974, a permanent home was required for the growing collection. A building formerly part of the Dorking Foundry, located just behind West Street, was secured. The new museum opened in 1976, attracting 5,000 visitors in its first year. To accommodate the vast archive of photographs and ephemera, an additional building was leased, and the extended museum reopened in 1983.

Today, Dorking Museum is a charming, volunteer-run local history museum, offering visitors a journey from Cretaceous times through to modern events, including the 2012 Olympic Road Race that passed through Dorking. Highlights of the museum include: A remarkable collection of local chalk fossils, The mineral collection of Lord Ashcombe of Denbies, An exquisite Wedgwood pottery collection, Extensive archives capturing the history and stories of Dorking and nearby villages . Dorking Museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, geology lovers, and anyone keen to explore the rich heritage of Surrey in a welcoming and educational environment.

Found out More