Centuries of History in the Surrey Hills
The Surrey Union Hunt is one of the oldest hunts in England, with records dating back to at least 1798. Based in the Dorking area, its traditional country encompasses the chalk downland of Box Hill, Ranmore Common and Leith Hill, together with the farmland and woods of the Weald below. For over two centuries the hunt has been an integral part of rural life in this part of Surrey, and many of the bridleways and field boundaries that riders use today were shaped by the hunt’s historical routes.
Since the Hunting Act 2004 banned the hunting of wild mammals with dogs, the Surrey Union has operated as a trail hunt. Hounds follow a pre-laid scent trail across the countryside, preserving the riding, the social tradition and the connection between the hunt and the farming community. The season runs from autumn through to early spring.
Point-to-Points & Social Calendar
The Surrey Union organises an annual point-to-point meeting, traditionally held at Peper Harow near Godalming, which draws large crowds of racing enthusiasts and families. Point-to-points are amateur steeplechases run over natural fences and provide a stepping stone for horses and jockeys aiming to progress to National Hunt racing. The hunt also holds an annual hunt ball, supporters’ suppers and other social events that sustain the equestrian community in the Dorking and Guildford area.
