Leatherhead, Surrey
Leatherhead is a small town in Surrey, right at the edge of Greater London, but certainly not in the thick of it so it’s still got that quietness about it, it still feels like a provincial town and retains its charm. That’s largely due to the historic architecture – there are some impressive townhouses and lots of gorgeous old red brick and steep sloping tiled roofs. They call Leatherhead The Gateway To the Surrey Hills, because that’s what’s on the doorstep, acres and acres of achingly beautiful countryside. Just a short stroll from the town centre is the River Mole, which makes for a pleasant waterside walk, looking out for kingfishers and dragonflies.
What’s there to do in Leatherhead? Well, you can browse around the shops, which are a mix of high street names and upmarket independent retailers - boutiques, bookshops, gifts antiques, and the like. There’s a town museum, a very well respected theatre, and there’s the Fire and Iron Gallery, which certainly reveals a few surprises about metal work, with exhibitions and demos. For eats try the Penny Black, Piazza Firenze, or the Running Horse.