Dorking Library

Dorking Library sits right in the heart of town, a proper local hub that's genuinely useful if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Henfold Lakes or The Green Escape. It's a working library, not a tourist attraction - no pretence about it - stocked with the usual mix of books, reference materials, and those slightly worn armchairs where locals camp out with their papers.

What makes it worth knowing about is the free wifi and the fact that on rainy Surrey afternoons (and there are plenty of those), you can kill a solid couple of hours browsing the shelves without spending a penny. The staff are friendly without being overbearing. There's a decent local history section if you're the type who gets interested in the area's past.

It's handy for families too. Kids' section is reasonable, though nothing revolutionary. If you're self-catering at Henfold Lakes or Cowroom Glamping and need to download something, print a document, or grab a book for the evening, it does the job. Just don't expect dramatic opening hours - they're shut Sundays and public holidays, and the extended Thursday evenings mean you've got until 7pm if you're stuck.

Really, this is more practical than thrilling. You won't plan a trip around it. But if you're within three miles at Tadworth way and the weather's foul, it's a sensible refuge. Free admission makes it a no-brainer when the kids are climbing the walls.