South Leatherhead is a quintessentially suburban town, situated just outside the M25, in the delightful Green Belt area of Surrey. A large number of houses in this area are detached, boasting large gardens and driveways; when the cost of housing is considered relative to the rest of central London, this area is regarded as particularly affordable. And with the neighbourhood’s close proximity to Leatherhead station, with trains taking just 45 minutes to either Waterloo or Victoria station, it’s no wonder why this area is getting more attention from potential residents, especially those looking to commute. On a weekend, there are plenty of things in this neighbourhood to keep locals entertained, whether that’s a show at the Leatherhead Theatre, a stroll around nearby Norbury Park and the River Mole, or a trip to the historical landmark of Kings Head Alley – there is something for everyone here!

Leatherhead is home to a number of historical and listed buildings, but one of the oldest is The Running Horse pub. The building can be seen as particularly medieval in its form, with traditional beams and low ceilings; the building dates back to 1403, and was built on land that formerly belonged to the church. It has been reported that the pub was once host to Elizabeth I, who had to spend a night here after a flood made the River Mole near impossible to cross! Another pub in this neighbourhood that is also of historical note, is The Edmund Tylney, which was named after Edmund Tylney, the official censor to Queen Elizabeth I, who used to live in the mansion in Leatherhead.

Leatherhead has its own symbol, which is a swan holding a sword in its beak; this can be found on the Leatherhead Football Club’s crest, as well as on the logos associated with the Swan Shopping Centre. Did you also know that this neighbourhood is home to the Leatherhead Drama Festival, which is the largest drama festival of its kind. Local schools and drama schools compete with one another to gain the prestige of an award, which is presented to the winner by the patron of the festival, Sir Michael Caine.

One of the major downsides of this neighbourhood is its proximity to the A243 and M25. Residents have expressed frustration over the high levels of traffic seen on the A road, which is exacerbated when there are problems or accidents on the M25. This often makes it hard for pedestrians to cross the road at peak times, and can also result in extended journey times.

The side of Leatherhead is located firmly within the greenbelt meaning that development is usually slow. When viewed in combination with the various neighbourhood groups in this area, this means that it is often difficult for developers to get planning permission. A proposal to build 900 homes on land just north of Tyrrells Wood Golf Club was recently rejected, which some would say is a testament to the strength of the community. To the north of this neighbourhood the local council is looking to transform a number of areas in the centre of Leatherhead. The projects are laid out in the Mole Valley Master Plan which confirms that new Riverside, Urban, as well as Retail and Leisure quarters are in development. The nearest of which will be the regeneration of the Swan centre, which has already seen electric charging and bike storage installed, and is set to see more extensive redevelopment in the near future.