Pippbrook House

Built in 1856, Pippbrook House is a Grade II* listed country mansion with richly decorated interiors and beautiful wood carvings.
There has been a house on the estate since perhaps the late 14th century with the present house designed by George Gilbert Scott for William Henry Forman, a wealthy ironworks owner from Doncaster. A large portion of the house was given over to a museum wing, where William displayed the extensive private collection of art and antiquities he and his late brother had amassed.

After his death, the house and estate was handed down, sold twice and eventually purchased in 1930 by Dorking Urban District Council to use as their offices and council chamber. After construction of the present MVDC offices at Pippbrook, the house was leased to Surrey County Council and became Dorking Library from 1984 until 2012.

Since then, the house has remained unoccupied. In 2024, restoration work began on the roof, chimneys and windows as well as work to repair damage to some of the interior ceilings and cornices.

Visitors will be able to explore the ground floor and see displays about the recent restoration, the history of the house, its occupants and what became of that amazing collection of art and antiquities. Plaster restoration specialists Hirst Conservation will be onsite to explain the work they have undertaken in the interior of the house.

Timings & Tours

Wednesday 17 September:

11.00 - 15.00

Location & directions

Pippbrook House, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SH

Directions:

Please park in the Reigate Road carpark behind Dorking Halls. Parking is not permitted in the MVDC Pippbrook offices car park.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Visitors with limited mobility can be dropped outside the house to save walking too far. There is ramped access, or a few stairs to the entrance.

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