| Guide to Downtown Dorks 23:52 - Sep 21 with 4539 views | DorkingDale |
As it's the first away fixture I thought it might be useful to post some information about the ground, town, pubs etc.
Meadowbank is right in the middle of the town centre behind St Martin's Walk shops & St Martin's church. The nearest car park is St Martin's Walk which is right in front of the stadium (turn right off the High Street opposite the White Horse Hotel). The main train station is about 10 mins walk into the town centre. There is an outside bar serving the away end (which is really just part of the home end bar - I had a long chat with some lads from Bamford there at the Oldham match). There's also a very good bar upstairs which overlooks the pitch.
Dorking is a small town but there is a good selection of pubs in close proximity to the ground.
My local - the White Hart in Dene Street - is the nearest, just off the High Street opposite the Post Office (there's an Oxfam Book Shop on the corner). It's what they used to call a "community" pub when I was in the drinks trade - small & basic but very friendly & with several screens showing sport & a pool table, not to mention a Tardis(!). There's no food served but the landlord is happy for customers to bring their own (there's a new pizza take away & a Subway on the High Street by the junction with Dene Street). I'm told that it's the only pub in town serving a local bitter called Ranmore that seems to be popular.
The only pub on the High Street is the Surrey Yeoman which I wouldn't recommend - it's always been a bit soulless but is currently for sale & I'm told that they have stopped paying for sport.
West Street is the oldest part of town with lots of antiques shops and has 4 drinking holes:
- The Kings Arms is a Shepherds Name pub & the oldest in Dorking with an interesting wooden interior which was taken from a ship about 500 years ago. I haven't been in there for a long time, but we used to go in there for lunch from the office & the food was always good
https://www.kingsarmsdorking.co.uk
- The Old House at Home is currently changing ownership & has closed the kitchen so I'm not sure what it's like at the mo
https://oldhousedorking.co.uk
- Cobbetts is a beer shop & Micropub in an old shop. It prides itself on craft beers but also serves cider, wine, gin etc & seems very popular.
https://www.cobbettsdorking.co.uk
- The Star is a small pub on the far corner which is a bit of a music venue with tables outside. No food but they encourage customers to take their own
https://www.facebook.com/thestardorking/?locale=en_GB
South Street is the other road on the fork at the end of the High Street & has 4 pubs:
- The Bull's Head is right on Pump Corner at the junction of the 3 roads & is a Fullers house. Again, I've not been in for a while, but it used to have a pool table & show sport. The family who run it are very pleasant & the food is standard pub fayre
https://www.bullsheaddorking.co.uk
- The Spotted Dog next to Waitrose is one of the few pubs with a garden, but I think it's closed at the moment. It doesn't have a good reputation so I would swerve it, open or not
- The Cricketers is another Fullers pub & has a good reputation. It's more traditional than The Bull's Head - no big TV screens but it does have a garden at the back & serves food
https://www.cricketersdorking.co.uk
- The Queens Head is at the far end & is effectively a gastro pub with a small bar
https://www.queensheaddorking.co.uk
There is a big pub next to the main station - The Lincoln Arms. It's currently being renovated but is open for those desperate for a drink after the slow journey from that there London. There are some huge sports screens in there & pool etc.
The town centre is not awash with great food outlets, but there's an excellent chippy on the High Street which cooks everything fresh (but not at Willbutts Lane prices...)
https://www.superdishdorking.com
For those staying over, the most popular restaurant is Roosters near Dorking Halls, opposite the BP Garage. It claims to be Mediterranean, but in reality is Turkish. Great atmosphere & very good food (booking probably necessary).
Sorry to drone on for so long, but hope this might help some Dorking virgins.
Safe journey everyone & look forward to seeing you paint the town blue on Saturday.
Up the Dale!
[Post edited 22 Sep 2023 0:25]
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| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 10:43 - Sep 22 with 4314 views | DareToCalvin |
Thanks for this DD - I am looking to make a day of it in Dorking so this is really helpful! |  | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 13:38 - Sep 22 with 4149 views | DorkingDale |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 10:43 - Sep 22 by DareToCalvin |
Thanks for this DD - I am looking to make a day of it in Dorking so this is really helpful! |
Glad it was useful - DM if you need any further information...... | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 15:50 - Sep 22 with 4033 views | DaleiLama |
Is the White Horse still there DD - an old coaching inn? Stayed there a couple of times on business and the refreshments weren't bad but a bit "corporate" for a footy day out.
Stayed in the hotel on the A24 just north of town too - bit dearer though. Can't remember what that was called now.
Top guide of Dorking though. Won't be going but tip of the cap to you. |  |
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| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 16:36 - Sep 22 with 3980 views | DorkingDale |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 15:50 - Sep 22 by DaleiLama |
Is the White Horse still there DD - an old coaching inn? Stayed there a couple of times on business and the refreshments weren't bad but a bit "corporate" for a footy day out.
Stayed in the hotel on the A24 just north of town too - bit dearer though. Can't remember what that was called now.
Top guide of Dorking though. Won't be going but tip of the cap to you. |
The White Horse has just been sold to another hotel group so is closed for a refurb, but it's still there - they sold off some of the land at the back a few years ago & some "executive" homes were built there.
The hotel on the A24 is the Burford Bridge - it was flooded at Christmas about 10 years ago & was on the news. Still there & doing well - they have a swimming pool which locals can pay to access. I live just on the opposite side of the A24 in Westhumble.
If we're still in the same division as Dorking you'll have to come down next season DL...... | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 17:34 - Sep 22 with 3885 views | DaleiLama |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 16:36 - Sep 22 by DorkingDale |
The White Horse has just been sold to another hotel group so is closed for a refurb, but it's still there - they sold off some of the land at the back a few years ago & some "executive" homes were built there.
The hotel on the A24 is the Burford Bridge - it was flooded at Christmas about 10 years ago & was on the news. Still there & doing well - they have a swimming pool which locals can pay to access. I live just on the opposite side of the A24 in Westhumble.
If we're still in the same division as Dorking you'll have to come down next season DL...... |
Thx for the update! Nice bit of the world, and the Denbies Vineyard on your doorstep certainly doesn't detract from it!!!  | |
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| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 20:37 - Sep 22 with 3732 views | DorkingDale |
Quick update - I've been told that the Bull's Head no longer shows sport so the only 2 options for anyone wanting to watch the England rugby match or the football after the match are The White Hart on Dene Street or The Lincoln Arms by the station. | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 12:33 - Sep 23 with 3499 views | DareToCalvin |
Sat in the White Hart with a Kronenbourg, cheers DorkingDale! | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 17:06 - Sep 23 with 3278 views | Rodingdale |
Imagine if you were a Rochdale fan living in Dorking 😁 | | | |
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| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 21:01 - Sep 23 with 3106 views | DorkingDale |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 17:06 - Sep 23 by Rodingdale |
Imagine if you were a Rochdale fan living in Dorking 😁 |
Living the life - especially tonight...  | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 21:02 - Sep 23 with 3103 views | DorkingDale |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 12:33 - Sep 23 by DareToCalvin |
Sat in the White Hart with a Kronenbourg, cheers DorkingDale! |
Did you come over to see us?! | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 11:16 - Sep 24 with 2875 views | fitzochris |
Had lunch in here and it was excellent. Cheers for the recommendation:
- The Queens Head is at the far end & is effectively a gastro pub with a small bar
https://www.queensheaddorking. |  |
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| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 21:07 - Sep 24 with 2684 views | DorkingDale |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 11:16 - Sep 24 by fitzochris |
Had lunch in here and it was excellent. Cheers for the recommendation:
- The Queens Head is at the far end & is effectively a gastro pub with a small bar
https://www.queensheaddorking. |
No probs Fitz - good to see you & your lovely boy after the match & hope Abacab turned up...... | | | |
| Guide to Downtown Dorks on 23:22 - Sep 24 with 2577 views | mikehunt |
I went in to the Tardis pub and the beer shop with a bar. Thanks Dorks. Two decent watering holes. The bars at the ground weren’t too shabby either. Loved the outside space where you could get a pint and wind down - with the friendly home supporters too, no less. |  |
| The worm of time turns not for the cuckoo of circumstance. |
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