Talks &amp; Lectures in Surrey

Likely freeHistory & HeritageTalks & Lectures

Dining With History Talk

Tickets will become available Wednesday 1 July, 10am Join Jessica Thurtell to uncover the history of our dining habits through the ages. Location: Pippbrook House, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SH Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Tickets: Free

Thu 17 Sept20:30Dorking Halls

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Thu 17 Sept20:30Bee Garden

SIHG Talk: "Vickers at Brooklands" by Richard Marks (Zoom)

For more on Richard, please see https://industrypast.co.uk

via Bee GardenLocal gem

Sat 19 Sept13:30The Horton, Epsom: Arts, Café, Heritage

Author Hallie Rubenhold on Story of A Murder

Author Hallie Rubenhold on Story of A Murder In partnership with Waterstones Epsom Saturday 19th September 2026, 12:30pm No murderer should ever be the keeper of their victim’s story … Join Sunday Times Best Selling author and prizewinning social historian Hallie Rubenhold for a fascinating historical examination of one of the most infamous murders of […]

via The Horton, Epsom: Arts, Café, Heritage

Sat 19 Sept14:00Elmbridge Museum

go to Historical Talk: The Story of Mount Felix

Sat 19th September 2026 13.00pm - 14.00pm

via Elmbridge MuseumLocal gem

Likely freeCinemaTalks & Lectures

HOD 2026: Pilgrim's Way Film Screening & Talk

A film screening of the 1956 documentary film Pilgrim's Way and a talk by Mandy Bright, a North Downs Way Ambassador An epic ramble from Winchester to Canterbury, through Hampshire, Surrey and Kent with picnics, pints and much prettiness on the way Tighten your laces and pack your mint cake as this one is a bit of a trek. The 120-miles between Winchester and Canterbury pass through some of the south-east England's prettiest towns, villages and pastures. Between 1956 and today plenty has changed, but despite the narrator's grumblings about urban encroachment much is timeless. Like a good hike, the film is not a race and takes its time to pause and wonder at its surroundings. Halfway through the film there are some great scenes of a mass pilgrimage through the streets of Guildford to the site of the new Cathedral. The event, which took place on the 4th April 1955, marked the much delayed start of the construction of the nave, and was clearly a celebratory occasion for the town and its surroundings. The film screening will be followed by a talk about the history of the route by Mandy Bright, a North Downs Way Ambassador. Location: Pippbrook House, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SH Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Tickets: Free

Sun 20 Sept18:30Dorking Halls

Likely freeCinemaTalks & Lectures

Pilgrim's Way Film Screening & Talk

Tickets will become available Wednesday 1 July, 10am A film screening of the 1956 documentary film Pilgrim's Way (certificate U) and a talk by Mandy Bright, a North Downs Way Ambassador An epic ramble from Winchester to Canterbury, through Hampshire, Surrey and Kent with picnics, pints and much prettiness on the way Tighten your laces and pack your mint cake as this one is a bit of a trek. The 120-miles between Winchester and Canterbury pass through some of the south-east England's prettiest towns, villages and pastures. Between 1956 and today plenty has changed, but despite the narrator's grumblings about urban encroachment much is timeless. Like a good hike, the film is not a race and takes its time to pause and wonder at its surroundings. Halfway through the film there are some great scenes of a mass pilgrimage through the streets of Guildford to the site of the new Cathedral. The event, which took place on the 4th April 1955, marked the much delayed start of the construction of the nave, and was clearly a celebratory occasion for the town and its surroundings. The film screening will be followed by a talk about the history of the route by Mandy Bright, a North Downs Way Ambassador. Location: Pippbrook House, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SH Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Tickets: Free

Sun 20 Sept18:30Dorking Halls

Tue 22 Sept11:30Elmbridge Museum

go to Historical Talk: Making Waves

Tue 22nd September 2026 10.30am - 11.30am

via Elmbridge MuseumLocal gem

Festivals & EventsTalks & Lectures

SIHG Talk: "The Channel Tunnel - History, Design, Build and Communications System" by Bob Hart (Leatherhead)

This talk will narrate the history of the Channel Tunnel through the 18th & 19th centuries, featuring the proposals that were put forward over this period, up to the final decision to build a tunnel. It will describe the main design features of the tunnel, the problems and issues encountered, the build process of the tunnels and cross passages, the ventilation and cooling systems and the dynamics of running a fast train through a narrow tunnel.

Thu 1 Oct03:00Bee Garden

via Bee GardenLocal gem

The Concorde Champagne Experience

Discover what it was like to fly on Concorde with a glass of Champagne.

Fri 2 Oct11:00Brooklands Museum

Fri 2 Oct11:30The Grotto Inn

Talk: Reviving the Medlar by Jane Steward

What do you know about the medlar? This engaging talk begins by exploring the audience’s awareness of this once-fashionable fruit before delving into its fascinating story. Discover the medlar’s original homeland, how it may have arrived in Britain, and the evidence of its early cultivation here. Once prized and widely grown, the medlar later fell out of favour — but why? The session examines its rich horticultural history, ornamental merits and the growing movement to restore it to its rightful place in our gardens and orchards. At Painshill, medlar trees can be found growing outside of the Kitchen Garden, offering visitors the chance to see these characterful trees within the wider landscape setting — a reminder of their historical presence in British gardens. Learn how to grow medlars successfully, including their form, seasonality and surprising resilience to pests and diseases. The intriguing process of harvesting and “bletting” will be explained, along with ideas for making the most of medlars in the kitchen. There will be fruit to taste, along with medlar jelly and chutney. Jane Steward is the founder of Eastgate Larder, a specialist business dedicated to reviving the overlooked medlar fruit, Mespilus germanica. Based in north Norfolk, she cares for a large medlar orchard that holds the UK’s Plant Heritage National Collection of medlar trees and hand-makes medlar preserves, including jelly and chutney, which are sold around the UK.

via The Grotto Inn

Sat 10 OctBrooklands Museum

Concorde Technical Tour

The Technical Concorde Flight adds much more time to the standard Concorde Experience, exploring the fascinating technical achievements of the aircraft.

Wed 14 Oct20:30Ripley Museum

Talk: Photography in Surrey Hospitals

Ripley Village Hall, High St, Ripley, Woking GU23 6AF, UK

via Ripley MuseumLocal gem

Fri 23 Oct11:30The Grotto Inn

Talk: Magical Mushrooms & Fabulous Fungi by Peter Smith

Whether you’re a mycophobe (mushroom hater) or a mycophile (mushroom lover), step into the “Wood Wide Web” — carefully avoiding the fairy rings — to glimpse the extraordinary world beneath our feet. Discover some of the mushrooms you can find around Painshill, learn the crucial difference between Agaricus campestris and Amanita phalloides (it’s important!), and explore why we wouldn’t be here at all without fungi — and how these remarkable organisms might even help us save the planet. Peter Smith is a beekeeper, all-round insect enthusiast and writer who gives fully illustrated talks on a range of subjects, all sharing a common focus on the pollinators and plants of the UK. His talks are designed to entertain as well as inform and are aimed at everyone with an interest in the natural world. Location: The Abercorn Room at Painshill Painshill reserves the right to amend or change event details. Organised in aid of Painshill Park Trust Limited, registered charity in England and Wales (284944). We rely on fundraising to preserve and maintain Painshill for future generations so your support is very important to us.

via The Grotto Inn

Festivals & EventsTalks & Lectures

The Concorde Champagne Experience

Discover what it was like to fly on Concorde with a glass of Champagne.

Sat 24 Oct11:00Brooklands Museum

Thu 29 OctBrooklands Museum

Concorde Technical Tour

The Technical Concorde Flight adds much more time to the standard Concorde Experience, exploring the fascinating technical achievements of the aircraft.