Discover Leatherhead

Leatherhead offers different starting points for planning your trip: walks along the River Mole and cultural venues with history and a programme of events. If you are looking for a hotel in Leatherhead, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your stay on a hike, a walk by the river, or a museum and theatre. The walks differ in length, format and connection to the river; the cultural venues focus on collections and stage performances. This lets you plan your stay around the type of activity you have in mind.

Walks along the River Mole and across commons

The Mole Gap Trail is a 10-kilometre hiking trail along the River Mole, connecting Dorking and Leatherhead. There is a clear distinction when choosing between the routes: the Mole Gap Trail focuses on its specific length and the connection between the two towns, the Leatherhead Common circular walk on its circular route, and the Leatherhead Riverside Walk on its course along the river.

The Leatherhead Common circular walk is an easy-to-access circular route north of Leatherhead that crosses commons and passes through Ashtead Common National Nature Reserve. It reaches the south-western tip of the 200-hectare open space of Ashtead Common, which is designated as a National Nature Reserve. If you are looking for a circular route connected with commons and a nature reserve, these features are particularly relevant to your choice.

The Leatherhead Riverside Walk follows the River Mole; its most accessible section runs from Leatherhead Leisure Centre along the west bank. If you include this route in your plans, check local trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Museum and theatre: collection or event

The Leatherhead Museum of Local History is housed in Hampton Cottage, a heavily altered 17th-century cottage. After its restoration, it opened to visitors in 1980. Its six rooms house curated exhibitions; notable exhibits include Anglo-Saxon and Roman artefacts. The building’s history and collection items from different periods thus come together in the same museum. If you are planning a visit, check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

The Leatherhead Theatre opened in 1969 and continues to be regarded as a significant example of architecture and a centre for culture and community. The Leatherhead Theatre hosts live theatre events and film screenings. The venue has 530 seats, a bar, a coffee bar, a gallery, as well as meeting rooms and workshop spaces. This makes a clear difference to your cultural plans: the museum focuses on its curated collections, while the Theatre focuses on its stage and film programme. For a specific performance or film screening, check the current schedule in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lingfield, Hindhead, Brookwood, Bramley, Chertsey, East Horsley, Chipstead, Ash

For the broader travel overview: Surrey.