Dorking

 

Betchworth Park

Betchworth Tunnel This 385 yard tunnel was constructed through the western end of Betchworth Park. Its opening was delayed by falls of sand during its construction in 1867 and twenty years later the roof and walls gave way, causing the tunnel to be blocked by running sand. The repairs necessitated the closure of the tunnel for seven months

Chart Lane

A large number of bollards and rails exist around Dorking. Many were installed by the Dorking District Local Board (embossed DDLB) with later ones by Dorking Urban District Council (embossed DUDC) which was formed in 1895 to administer the same area. Of the 200 plus bollards some have various embossings, for example, a lady's leg and thigh, a key, a founder's name. Some were designed as lamp columns or fire hydrants. With renovation to the paving around the town the use of cast-iron bollards is continuing. Some of the new pieces are embossed 'Dorothea'.

Deepdene avenuje

` Deepdene Mansion. The Dorking Manor was owned by the Howard family, the Dukes of Norfolk, and the house was built by Charles Howard, Duke of Norfolk in the 1760s. In 1808 it was sold to Thomas Hope, who was extremely rich and who added orangeries, conservatories, a library and extended the estate. It was later the home of Tyer who owned Vauxhall Gardens. In the 1920s the estate was broken for housing and the house became a grand hotel but the London Road bypass ruined the gardens. It was occupied by the Southern Railway in the Second World War and used by over 500 railway staff .It was demolished in 1967 and a modern office block built on the site.

Hope family mausoleum buried to roof level.

Tunnels extend up to 100 feet into the hillside. One from under the house seems to have been built through to a hillside to a vista. One tunnel goes from a brick summerhouse and the two tunnels in the grounds probably pre-date 1939. They were enlarged as wartime shelters and stores.

Two large tunnels are in parallel with a single joining crossover. It has three entrances and the railway used it for an underground telephone exchange- switchboard dehrios  remained. The tunnels were lined with concrete and corrugated iron wuth Railway track used fors roof supports. a spiral staircase from the end of the longest tunnel to the surface served for both escape and ventilation. It emerges into a small brick structure surrounded by a fence. There was also anoher crossover tunnel.

East Cave.  This tunnel is a single drive about 85 ft. long which increases in cross-section asa it progressed. The far end is of unlined sandstone and ther is an escape shaft in the domed roof which admits daylight. This seems to have been used as a rifle range.

Ice house. Now in the grounds of Kuoni House. built to look like a small temple approached by a flight of steps. It is Close to the tarmac road, and ther is a substantial lined underground chamber via a flight of steps. 

London Road

Reigate Road.

Embassy Cinema. It was on the site of the car park of the council offices at Pip Brook. It seated 1,290, was opened in 1938 as the Gaumont. When it closed as a cinema in 1973 it became a meeting place for Jehovah's Witnesses until it was demolished in 1983.

Dorking Halls These halls in Reigate Road were built in 1930s by a private company who got into financial difficulties and sold out to Dorking Urban District Council in 1946. They are still run by the local authority. A number of sandpits, which are no longer worked, may be found around Dorking. This is an example

Watermill Restaurant. Close to the original mill buildings. There are two unconnected caves in the bank some 30ft. apart.   They are both of some age and are lined with lichen.   The east cave is some 10ft. high and wide and is 20ft. long. It is unlined. The west cave is of .similar dimensions and 30 ft. long. It has a brick entrance arch and the first few feet are brick-lined.   Probably dug for storage and now in use as garages.

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