Events

Chairman’s Day at Sondes Place Farm and Denbies, Dorking

20th May 2025, 10:30 - 16:00

Chairman’s Day at Sondes Place Farm and Denbies, Dorking

Tuesday 20 May 2025

10.30 am – 4 pm

We will be the guests of Hugh Broom at Sondes Place Farm. The farm has been in the ownership of the Broom family since 1897.

Hugh is the 4th generation of his family to farm here. He not only runs the farm but is an established broadcaster and journalist and co-hosts the Farmers Weekly Podcast.

Hugh will give us an overview of the farm and tell us about the extensive conservation work that is carried out on what is first and foremost a working farm and the challenges that farmers face.

We will then drive to Denbies vineyard and at 1:00 pm we will watch a 20 minute film with a glass of Denbies Wine in the Cinema. The film offers a fantastic introduction to the estate and surrounding area.

This will be followed by lunch in the Gallery Restaurant and at approximately 3:00 pm we will join the Denbies motorised train and visit the Community Garden Hub, that is being developed by the Society as part of the Growing Together Project.

Ali Clarke, Project Manager at Surrey Hills Arts will meet us at Radius and tell us about Radius and the other art installations in the Inspiring Views programme.

The Radius site has recently benefited from the installation of a new more accessible ramp, funded by the Surrey Hills National Landscape. We will return to the estate at approximately 4:00 pm.

Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking is one of England’s largest single estate vineyards. The estate, independently owned and run, comprises of 380 acres with 265 acres currently under vine, it has a production capacity of 1 million bottles. The first vines were planted on the estate in 1986.

For the last 20 years, Christopher White, CEO, has owned and operated the estate. Under his leadership, Denbies has become one of the largest and most successful wineries in England.

There are two options for lunch.  Please select the ticket with your menu choice.

MENU 1

Main – Breast of chicken wrapped in parma ham, stuffed with a chorizo & tarragon mousse, dauphinoise potatoes, pesto cream sauce, served with seasonal vegetables.

Dessert – Seasonal fruit pavlova, mint syrup.

Tea or coffee.

MENU 2

Main – Vegetable galette, parmentier potatoes, tarragon butter sauce, served with seasonal vegetables

Dessert – Seasonal fruit pavlova, mint syrup

Tea or coffee.

If you do have any dietary requirements or allergies, please note these in the comments box when booking your ticket.

This event is suitable for those with mobility issues.  No dogs please.

The cost will be £47.50 for members and £55 for non-members. This cost includes all food and drink mentioned above.

Deadline for booking 13 May 2025.

Any enquiries please contact us at info@surreyhillssociety.org

By continuing and making a booking you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the Terms & Conditions specified in our Cancellation Policy and Responsibility Statement, both of which can be viewed by clicking here