Variety is the spice of life at Taylor Place

Our Taylor Place community benefits from being ideally located just a short walk from Dorking where our customers are never short of activities and places to visit on their doorstep to make the very most of their later living chapters.  

Whether you have friends and family to stay or just fancy a great day out, here’s a roundup of some of our top recommendations for those living in or visiting the area this summer:   

The Delights of the Deepdene Trail 

The fascinating estate close to Dorking offers a walking trail through the fascinating landscape of the Deepdene estate. Deepdene House was once owned and lived in by the enigmatic Thomas Hope, whose family fled to England in the 1790’s to avoid the French Revolutionary armies. The house was demolished in the 1960s, but the gardens, landscape and key architectural features were transformed in 2015 with a £1million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Today it’s an extraordinary place to visit and explore with places to stop for drinks, snacks and even ice cream if the weather is warm enough!  

Gin, cocktails and more 

As well as a the infamous Denbies Wine Estate and Dorking brewery, Dorking is also home to a gin distillery Gin Kitchen, a must to visit if gin is your tipple of choice. The artisan distillery is housed in heritage buildings set in the heart of the beautiful Surrey Hills. There are all sorts of gin related experiences to try, from cocktail masterclass to learning more about distilling, or just enjoy some tapas and cocktails in the Gin Cocktail Bar and Restaurant. 

Soak up the history at Leith Hill 

Leith Hill Place is an elegant 17th Century mansion steeped in history and now owned by the National Trust. The Wedgwood and Vaughan Williams families, including composer Ralph Vaughan Williams called it home and close relative of the Wedgwood's, Charles Darwin was a frequent visitor. The splendid landscape is worth visiting and if you are feeling energetic, you can book a ticket to climb the 78 steps of Leith Hill Tower and see if you can spot the arch at Wembley or the London Eye through the telescope. The Tower was built in 1765 by Richard Hull who lived in the house, as 'a place for people to enjoy the glory of the English countryside'. 

Art and nature in perfect harmony 

The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden offers a changing collection of contemporary sculptures with over 200 pieces exhibited every summer in the stunning surroundings of the leafy gardens. It was the brainchild of Hannah Peschar who established the sculpture garden 36 years ago in the gardens of what used to be a large estate. All the artworks are chosen and placed for their harmony with nature making it an intriguing and calming place to visit over the summer. The curators also put on events from time to time. The garden is open between April and the end of October. 

Try a spot of angling 

Leisure fishery, Bury Hill Fisheries is part of a 200-year-old estate set in a beautiful, secluded valley in the heart of the Surrey Hills and is an oasis of calm. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or want to learn a new past time, the four lakes offer a variety of fish. Leave the outside world behind here and enjoy the magnificent surroundings. There is also a mobile refreshment service offering a choice of homemade sandwiches, drinks and snacks, which you can order by phone for delivery directly to your fishing peg. 

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Taylor Place is Pegasus’ collection of stylish 22 one and two bedroom later living homes located in the heart of Dorking. To find out more about the fantastic lifestyle that awaits, call our team on 01306 230 010 or email [email protected].