Surrey has plenty of chain-heavy shopping centres, but the towns worth a trip are the ones with a proper high street and a few shops you will not find elsewhere. Visit Surrey points to Guildford, Dorking, Farnham and Godalming for independent shopping and local character, and says the county's shopping in Guildford, Kingston, Woking, Epsom, Dorking and Farnham is among the best in the South East. Here is what each town does best.
Farnham: a department store with history
Start at Elphicks, 10-13 West Street, Farnham. George Elphick opened a drapery at 13 West Street in 1881, and the business still trades from the same spot. It is now an independent department store covering fashion, lingerie, menswear, shoes, gifts, toys and haberdashery, which makes it a useful stop whether you are buying a present or a button. Visit Surrey describes the wider town as a mix of independent retailers, premium clothing boutiques, coffee stops and traditional shop fronts. Chains such as Oliver Bonas, Phase Eight and FatFace sit alongside them on West Street and The Borough.
Dorking: the place for antiques
West Street, Dorking, is the reason to come. Hello Dorking, the town's business improvement district, describes it as renowned for its antique shops, and the West Street Dorking site calls it full of proudly independent businesses.
Dorking Antiques Centre, 17-18 West Street, occupies a renovated Victorian ground-floor shop with a blue and cream façade, opened by three long-standing Dorking dealers. Antiques Atlas lists at least 30 dealers in 1,500 square feet. Another name to know is the Dorking Desk Shop, JG Elias, an antique furniture business started in 1969 by Jan Elias.
Godalming: High Street and Church Street
Visit Surrey describes Godalming as sitting beside the River Wey, with its High Street and Church Street lined with independent shops and cafés. Surrey Live has called it often overshadowed by Guildford, though it is only a 15-minute drive away, and notes places for coffee and cake among the independents. It suits a slow morning rather than a big haul. Hello Lovely, 84 High Street, is listed as an independent, affordable women's boutique.
Reigate: a long high street with room for independents
Muddy Stilettos describes Reigate as built around a long high street with an abundance of independent businesses, from fashion boutiques to cafés, with chains such as Whistles and Jigsaw alongside. Surrey Live reported that the town bounced back after Covid better than any other in the county, with independent owners crediting loyal customers. That makes it a good choice if you want a mix of familiar names and local ones on one walk along the High Street and Bell Street.
Cobham: boutiques on the High Street
Cobham is more about clothes than curios. Surrey Live says its High Street, with flags, independent shops and small eateries, has to be one of the county's best, and mentions a riverside picnic spot on the River Mole. A syndicated piece on AOL is franker: not the prettiest high street, but plenty of luxury clothing stores, naming Number Six, Suzanne Boutique and Phoenix Style Cobham. The Cobham Bookshop is an independent that says it has served the community for over 30 years and can order from more than 500,000 titles.
Haslemere: small shops off the High Street
Visit Surrey calls Haslemere a market town where three counties meet, and says its independent shops, including those at Wey Hill, add to the town's liveliness. Great British Life notes small independent shops just off the High Street, including Seabrights, a butcher and fishmonger at 34 West Street. Sass & Spirit, West Street, is an independent lifestyle, gifts and homewares store. Nearby Hindhead Commons and Black Down make a sensible walk afterwards.
Guildford: independents among the chains
Guildford is the county's biggest draw, combining historic streets and a medieval castle with independent shops, restaurants and galleries, according to Visit Surrey. Tunsgate Quarter, between the cobbled High Street and the castle, is largely lifestyle brands such as Loaf, OKA, The White Company and Seasalt, so treat it as a mix rather than a purely independent street. The Grade II listed Tunsgate building dates from 1818. Independents listed in the directory include Ben's Collectors Records at 5 Tunsgate, for vinyl.
Which to choose
Antiques: Dorking, West Street.
A proper department store: Farnham, Elphicks.
Boutiques: Cobham and Godalming.
A long browse with chains and independents: Reigate and Guildford.
Small shops and a walk: Haslemere.
Opening hours change, so check a shop's own website before setting out. Elphicks, for one, lists its hours on its site, at elphicks.co.uk. For wider ideas, Visit Surrey's shopping page is a good starting point.
