Dorking Caves - Local Day Meet - September 2026
By Mike
This meet was meant to be Reigate Caves but they were fully booked so we changed to the Dorking Caves where we could book a private tour for up to 10 people for £70.
In the end there were nine of us: Karen & Stewart, Graham & Steph, Jose & Yodi, Bob, Mike & Hilary.
We met the two cave guides at the cave entrance, which is an unassuming plain black door next to the war memorial in South Street, for our 10.30 tour. We were given the obligatory hard hats which were bright orange and were led underground. The caves which are really tunnels were all dug out by hand and the tool marks can be easily seen where they cut through the soft sandstone. They were lit by candles for the tour which provided beautiful atmospheric lighting. We were shown where the caves had been used for storing wine, port and probably other foodstuffs, as the consistent cool temperature was ideal for this before refrigeration. We were then led deeper into the caves which cut through an old well and descended down 45 steep steps to a mysterious room possibly used for worship and/or secret meetings. We were now at amazing 50-60 feet below ground! On the way down we saw that the walls were covered in graffiti carved into the soft sandstone walls by the many workers and visitors over the centuries with dates going back to the 1600's. It was explained that this is only one of many cave systems under the streets and buildings of Dorking which has a maze of tunnels below the whole town.
Once back on the surface and our eyes adjusted to the bright daylight we were ready for the next part of our adventure. This was a circular walk up to The Plough Inn at Coldharbour for lunch and then back which worked out at around 10 miles. Nearly to the top of Leith Hill so quite a lot of ascent & descent. Graham and Steph decided to drive to the pub so they could do the short walk to the top of Leith Hill, visit the tower and then meet us for lunch. Karen and Stewart had to turn back part way as they had another engagement so were short of time. The pub had a super selection of beers, two of which were brewed on the premises, so you can't get much fresher than that! The weather held warm and sunny so we were able to enjoy our lunch sitting in the beer garden.
Another great day trip with the CMC.