Dorking was recorded in the 11th Century as Manor of Dorchinges. The Dukes of Norfolk lived in the manor until they moved to Arundel. In medieval times it was a thriving market town benefiting greatly from its location at the junction of roads and tracks.
The public house, which is in the centre of Dorking, the White Horse, was built in the 18th century.
Dorking was the site of two markets, wheat and cattle were sold in the High Street Market and poultry in the corner of South Street and Butter Hill. The famous Dorking foul were sold here, these were chickens with five claws rather than the more normal four and were favourites amongst the gentry including Queen Victoria.
It is still a beautiful area in which to live as it has been able to keep much of its countryside due to donations of land, such as Box Hill, by landowners for public use and more recently stricter building controls.
The availability of properties to let is always good in Dorking with prices around £525pm for a studio, a l bed flat would be around £700pm and a 2 bed flat £850pm with a 3 bed house about £1300pm.
The town has been fortunate to be able to keep most of its original characteristics and at the same time housing more modern businesses.
There are three main shopping streets, the High Street, West Street and South Street with also a small shopping centre in St. Martins walk. Marks and Spencer trades in St. Martins Square and Woolworths is in the High Street. The town is well known all over the world for its antique dealers.
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