Leatherhead

Leatherhead
source
Name	Leatherhead
Coordinates	51.2956°N 0.3283°W

Leatherhead is a town in Surrey, England, situated on the River Mole and near the North Downs. The town is surrounded by Box Hill, Bookham Common, and Ashtead Common, and is close to the M25 motorway and London Heathrow Airport. Leatherhead is also near the towns of Dorking, Guildford, and Kingston upon Thames, and is part of the London commuter belt. The town has a strong connection to the University of Surrey and Royal Holloway, University of London.

Geography

Leatherhead is located in the Mole Valley district of Surrey, near the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is situated on the River Mole, which flows into the River Thames at Molesey, and is close to the North Downs Way and the Box Hill and Westhumble railway station. The surrounding countryside is home to several Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including Ashtead Common and Bookham Common, which are managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. The town is also near the Epsom Downs, home of the Epsom Derby, and the Chessington World of Adventures theme park.

History

The history of Leatherhead dates back to the Domesday Book, which records the town as "Leatherede" in 1086. The town was an important center for the leather industry in the Middle Ages, with many tanneries and leather workshops along the River Mole. During the English Civil War, the town was a key location for the Parliamentarian forces, and was visited by Oliver Cromwell and John Hampden. The town is also associated with the Surrey Iron Railway, which was built in the 19th century and connected Leatherhead to Merstham and Reigate. The town has a number of historic buildings, including the Leatherhead Parish Church and the Leatherhead Museum, which is run by the Surrey County Council and the Leatherhead and District Local History Society.

Economy

The economy of Leatherhead is diverse, with a mix of small and medium-sized enterprises and larger companies, including Unilever, ExxonMobil, and Surrey County Council. The town is also home to a number of research and development centers, including the University of Surrey's Centre for Environment and Health and the Institute of Cancer Research. The town has a strong connection to the pharmaceutical industry, with companies such as Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline having operations in the area. The town is also close to the London Stock Exchange and the City of London, making it an attractive location for financial services companies.

Transport

Leatherhead is well-connected to the rest of the United Kingdom by road and rail, with the M25 motorway and the A24 road passing through the town. The town has two railway stations, Leatherhead railway station and Box Hill and Westhumble railway station, which provide regular services to London Waterloo, London Victoria, and Dorking. The town is also close to London Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport, making it an attractive location for international business and tourism. The town has a number of bus services operated by Stagecoach South and Metrobus, which connect Leatherhead to surrounding towns and villages, including Dorking, Guildford, and Kingston upon Thames.

Culture

Leatherhead has a rich cultural scene, with a number of arts venues and festivals throughout the year. The town is home to the Leatherhead Theatre, which hosts a variety of theatre productions and concerts, and the Leatherhead Museum, which showcases the town's history and heritage. The town also has a number of parks and gardens, including the Leatherhead Park and the Ashtead Park, which are popular with walkers and cyclists. The town is close to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, horse riding, and fishing. The town is also associated with the Surrey County Cricket Club and the Epsom Downs Racecourse, which host a number of sports events throughout the year.

Governance

Leatherhead is governed by the Mole Valley District Council and the Surrey County Council, which provide a range of local services and amenities. The town is also represented in Parliament by the Member of Parliament for Mole Valley (UK Parliament constituency), who is currently Sir Paul Beresford. The town has a number of community groups and voluntary organizations, including the Leatherhead and District Local History Society and the Surrey Wildlife Trust, which work to promote the town's history and heritage and protect its natural environment. The town is also part of the South East England region, which is represented by the South East England Regional Assembly and the South East England Development Agency.