Leatherhead Tourist Information

Leatherhead 'The Gateway to the Surrey Hills', provides an excellent base for visitors wishing to explore the beautiful Surrey countryside and variety of nearby attractions. Part of Leatherhead's charm is its heritage of buildings. Medieval timber framed buildings stand cheek-by-jowl with well proportioned Georgian houses and imposing Victorian Gothic villas.

A good starting point for the exploration of historic Leatherhead is Hampton Cottage in Church Street. This well preserved seventeenth century timber framed house is the home of the Leatherhead Museum of Local History. The town's most significant landmark is the medieval church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas. Its fifteenth century tower overlooks the flood plain of the River Mole, a scene that inspired the landscape painter Joseph Turner to capture it in watercolours.

Cultural activities and town centre events occur regularly throughout the year and include the annual arts festival in October when every aspect of the arts in the district is explored and celebrated. Both town and countryside inspired generations of literary figures, including Sheridan, Meredith, Fanny Burney, Anthony Hope and C.S. Lewis. Jane Austen, in her novel 'Emma', modelled the town of Highbury on Leatherhead.