By Tim Lambert
Early Dorking
Dorking began as a Saxon village. It’s name was probably Deorc ingas, which meant the people of Deorc. It’s not certain where the River Mole got its name but it may be from the Latin word ‘mola’ meaning mill because there were so many watermills along it in the Early Middle Ages.
At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 Dorking may have had a population of about 250. By the standards of the time it was quite a large village. Dorking had 4 watermills that ground grain to flour for the villagers. There was also a church in Dorking. In the Middle Ages Dorking had a weekly market but it was mainly an agricultural settlement. In Tudor Times it was a tiny market town.
Dorking grew larger in the 17th century and by the centuries end it probably had a population of about 1,500. South Street Caves were probably dug in the late 17th century and they were used to keep wine and food cool. Dorking gained a piped water supply as early as 1738. Water was pumped by watermills along wooden pipes.
In the 18th century a turnpike road was built through the town. In 1755 an Act of Parliament allowed local people to form a turnpike trust to build and maintain it.
Modern Dorking
In 1801, Dorking was still only a small market town, with a population of around 2,000. However it grew larger during the 19th century by 1911 its population reached 7,000.
Amenities in the town improved. In 1834 Dorking gained gas light. The first police station in Dorking opened in 1851. Dorking Cemetery opened in 1855 and Pippbrook House was built in 1858. A Cottage Hospital opened in Dorking in 1863. The old Public Hall was built in 1872. In 1902 Dorking gained an electricity supply.
Meanwhile, the railway reached Dorking in 1849. A line was built from Redhill to Reading. In 1867 a railway directly from Dorking to London was built. St Martin’s Church was largely rebuilt in the 19th century. It was completed in 1877. Dorking Football Club was founded in 1880. During the 19th century Dorking became famous for Dorking fowl, a type of chicken.
During the 20th century Dorking continued to flourish. Dorking Community Hospital was built in 1909. However, on a sober note, Dorking War Memorial was unveiled in 1921. Dorking Halls was built in in 1931. The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) lived in Dorking for a number of years. In 1961 a statue of him was unveiled outside the Dorking Halls. In 1995 a statue was erected of the builder Thomas Cubitt (1788-1855).
A new Police Station was built in Dorking in 1960. Dorking Museum opened in 1976. St Martin’s Walk shopping centre was also built in 1976. Mole Valley Council Offices were built in 1984.
In the 21st century Dorking is a prosperous commuter town. Dorking Sports Centre opened in 2003. The sculpture, the Dorking Cockerel was unveiled in 2007. Meadowbank Playground opened in 2017. Today the population of Dorking is 17,000.
