Elmbridge

Elmbridge is where town and country meet: a green Surrey borough within easy travelling distance of London.

The borough's riverside areas offer some of the most attractive spots in north-east Surrey. The Thames, the Mole, and the Wey have a great deal to offer visitors, including boat trips, rowing, fishing or a stroll along their scenic banks.

The 1300 acres of Elmbridge Commons are a rich source of enjoyment for visitors, providing a superb area for a leisurely stroll, horse riding, bird watching, dog walking and picnicking. The commons consist of a wide variety of habitats including woodlands, ponds and heathland, which support an enormous amount of plant and animal life. The value of these habitats has led to most of the Esher commons being designated a site of special scientific interest.

Elmbridge has a long association with the motor car. AC Cars were produced in Thames Ditton from 1911 until 1980, Hersham and Walton Motors made Formula One cars from between 1951 and 1955, and Railton cars were made in Cobham during the 1930's. The famous Brooklands racing track at Weybridge was the world's first purpose built racing circuit and portions of its banked track are still in evidence. The aerodrome on the site also saw the development of the World War Two Wellington bomber and contributed to the design and manufacture of the supersonic Concorde. Brooklands Museum features a fine collection of racing and sports cars, and aeroplanes including the first production Concorde built in Britain.

Nearby attractions cater for a variety of interests. The magnificent Hampton Court Palace is the scene of 500 years of royal history from Henry VIII to George II. Claremont Landscape Garden and the 18th century Painshill Park both offer wonderful settings for a day out. The exciting attractions of Sandown Park and Kempton Park racecourses, Mercedes-Benz World, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures are all close by.