Dorking Museum Exhibition Space

The Museum has three collections on view in the main galleries.

The Permanent Exhibition Space

This area tells the story of Dorking and its surrounding areas. Starting off in prehistoric times, the exhibition travels all the way through the story of the Pilgrim Father William Mullins, the beautiful lost estate of the Deepdene, the First and Second World War, and the contribution of the Wedgwood family to Dorking – right up to the present day with features such as our amazing Mosaic made by local school children. For a more detailed trip around the Museum – click here.

Painting Collection

Dorking is home to some beautiful countryside, and so naturally attracted many artists to the area. Dorking Museum’s collection of paintings comprises the work of professional and amateur artists who lived and worked here, and includes about 200 oils and watercolours. As there is not enough room to display all of the collection, the paintings are on display online at Art UK. Art UK is the online home for the UK’s public art collections. Through their work, they make art available for enjoyment, learning, and research.

Temporary Exhibition Space

We are lucky enough to have a large blank space in the Museum, where we are able to present our temporary exhibitions. Every couple of months, we change this space into another display relevant to Dorking. We put all these exhibitions online.

First World War Centenary

Troops at Dorking Station 1914 Image : Dorking Museum

At the end of 2012, Dorking Museum launched its plans to remember the impact of the First World War on the town, its people, and on the surrounding countryside and villages.

The Museum held five exhibitions between 2014 and 2018, commemorating the role that Dorking, the surrounding villages, and their people played during this dark time in history.

The War Memorial Project

First World War Memorial Window Christ Church, Coldharbour

The War Memorial project also started in 2012, the War Memorial Project is the work of volunteers from the Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre. Not only will it be an invaluable tool for researchers, it is also a memorial to those who fell in the Great War, reminding us of the sacrifice they made. It could not have been produced without the help and enthusiastic cooperation of those who devoted their time and energy to the subject.