Why you should move to Leatherhead

July 25, 2025

Here’s why Leatherhead is the Surrey town worth considering for your next Surrey move

Leatherhead is quickly becoming an exciting place to live in Surrey with its more affordable housing options, amazing transport links, and proximity to some of Surrey’s popular towns. Moments from Guildford, Oxshott and Dorking, the town puts the best of Surrey at your fingertips.

Leatherhead has been a settlement since the Anglo-Saxon period and has been a market town since 1248. Its history lies around agriculture and trading, lying on an important route to London. Built next to the River Mole, the town offers quiet riverside walks, local pubs and nearby great schooling. It’s also one of the more affordable places to live in Surrey.

Whilst Leatherhead might not be one of the most recognisable towns in the county, it has all the great qualities of a place to live in Surrey. Whether you’re looking to tee off, relax, get a sweat on, soak in nature or eat some great food, Leatherhead offers it all.

View of the River Mole in Leatherhead

Where is Leatherhead?

Leatherhead is enviably connected to both surrounding Surrey and central London. Leatherhead is connected to most of the popular towns in Surrey. Guildford is an easy commute, a mere 30 minute drive or a 30 mins direct train on weekdays. You can reach Dorking with a 15 minute drive, or a 6 minute train. You’ll also be close to the quaint villages of Oxshott, a 12 minute drive, and Cobham, a 30 minute bus.

Surrey is home to some of the most picturesque villages in the country, all within easy reach of Leatherhead. Betchworth, with its haunted castle and tree lined streets is around the corner in a 6 minute car ride. Mickleham is another chocolate box village that is a 9 minute drive, with amazing pubs and walks.

How far is Leatherhead to London?

Leatherhead is based just outside of the M25. The town is 39 minutes from London Waterloo and 58 minutes to London Victoria. Direct trains from Waterloo to Leatherhead run every 30 mins, depending on the time of the week.

Waterloo is incredibly well connected to the rest of the city, with easy access to Soho, the West End, Hyde Park, Regents Park and London Bridge. Whether it’s a relaxing walk in the park, checking out the newest art exhibition, or hitting the town, Waterloo is seconds away from all. You can be in the theatre or at the bar in under an hour door to door.

It is also connected to major London airports such as Gatwick and Heathrow, both reachable in just over an hour by public transport. To drive, it’s 25 minutes to Gatwick, or around 37 minutes to Heathrow.

Wherever you’re headed and whether it’s a bustle into the city or a much needed weekend break, you’re in a prime position to make the most of the capital.

Leatherhead train station

Is Leatherhead a nice place to live?

Leatherhead is a nice place to live in Surrey. Just 17 miles outside of central London, the town offers the best of both worlds. Locals note the relaxed pace, access to nature, transport links and green spaces as highlights for living in the town.

With incredible access to nature and countryside, along with being under 40 mins to London Waterloo, the town is poised to become the next best place to live for its accessibility and proximity to so many places.

Our new built-for-renters neighbourhood, The Oakgate, is perfect for settling into Surrey life. The Oakgate in Leatherhead offers modern apartments to rent with a range of move-in ready 1-3 bedroom homes. Relax into an elevated style of living with amenities including a gym, coworking and children’s play area. Renting at The Oakgate comes with a friendly on-site team 6 days a week to help make the everyday a breeze.

Modern apartment for rent in Surrey at The Oakgate

What is there to do in Leatherhead?

There is a lot to do in Leatherhead. The town is perfectly positioned to make the most out of bustling city life or lazy weekends in the countryside. We’ve done the research and handpicked some of the best things to do in Leatherhead.

When you move, be sure to join local groups to be sure to get the best of everything to do in the area. Just to name a few, The Hive Leatherhead is a creative arts project in the town and The Mole Valley Ramblers are a walking group that explores the area every day of the week.

For a typical weekend, start with breakfast at Charlie and Ginger in the town centre, for great brunches and coffee to boot, then go for a stroll along the River Mole, on which Leatherhead is set. Check out Fire and Iron Gallery where over 200 artists are featured in a converted barn with a focus on metal work.

Charlie & Ginger coffee house in Leatherhead town centre

Stay active by heading to Box Hill for a cycle or walk. Our favourite cycle route is the Box Hill loop from Ashtead. The route provides stunning routes over the rambling hills. It’s not for beginners but is certainly rewarding. There is an elevation of 1,100ft, but what goes up must come down! The route is also accessible via public transport so you can always hop on a bus home.

We would grab a drink at The Bell in Felcham, a trendy gastropub with incredible Sunday Roasts and elevated, considered British fare. Think summer salads, delicious puddings, nibbles and tipples. It’s perfect for a family lunch together to while away the Sunday afternoon.

If you need a place to eat in Leatherhead, check out the Plough which serves authentic and delicious Thai food. If you wanted dinner and a show, the Leatherhead Theatre has some of the best west end exports, as well as local theatre showcasing the best of Surrey arts.

That’s not all, you’ll be spoilt for choice on the weekends with the surrounding area (check out our Surrey Guide), and all near to your new home at The Oakgate.

Box Hill, a 10 minute drive from The Oakgate in Leatherhead

Lazy weekends in Leatherhead

If you’re in the mood for relaxation closer to home, living in Leatherhead means you get access to some of the best golf clubs, spas and picnic spots.

If it’s golf you’re after, look no further than The Drift Golf Club. It’s an accessible golf club offering tee times all week without a membership. Their varied and beautiful course offers eighteen holes for you to wish the morning or afternoon away, tee off and then grab some refreshments in the clubhouse.

If it’s something more upmarket you’re after, why not relax and book in a stay trip at the Beaverbrook Spa, a mere 10 minute drive but seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Splurge on a spa weekend and relax in their outdoor heated pool with world class spa treatments and afternoon tea.

For something more affordable but equally relaxing, we’d recommend Foxhills in Chertsey. A family-owned spa and club in Chertsey 20 mins from Leatherhead, the club offers swimming, spa, leisure, golf, and more. Plus, members get preferential rates on golf, food and drink and stays.

Country club & golf course in Surrey

Where to exercise in Leatherhead

When it comes to getting a sweat on, Leatherhead has all you could want from an exercise perspective. From trendy Yoga studios, Pilates, HIIT, tennis courts and more. Get a move on.

Our top pick for HIIT training is the HIIT House. A team of highly specialised trainers in the heart of Leatherhead, offering strength training and reformer The HIIT House has been serving the ‘HIIT heads’ of Leatherhead for over 10 years.

If it’s yoga you’re looking for, we recommend a trip to Thrive Studios, a yoga studio and holistic wellness centre. They offer two thoughtfully designed spaces to relax, unwind, build strength and re-align. One studio offers a more relaxed environment with yoga and sound baths and the other offers HIIT training, TRX and Barre.

If you’re more of a spider monkey, the best climbing gym near Leatherhead is Blue Spider Climbing – a robust climbing centre with a variety of walls, roped climbing and bouldering. They offer beginner classes if you’re new, and walls from 3-8b. It’s a bit further out from town but well worth a visit.

And if you’re looking for the convenience of a gym on your doorstep, living at The Oakgate in Leatherhead gives you access to the gym all wrapped up in the rent. Bi-weekly, an expert trainer is invited on-site to host a workout class. Alternatively, you can join the weekly running club which is a great way to stay fit while meeting fellow residents.

On-site gym at The Oakgate, access included in the rent

Making the most of areas near to Leatherhead

When you’re itching for something a bit further afield, Leatherhead is really well located for day trips by car. It has easy access to the coast, amazing cities and towns, picturesque villages and glorious national parks.

Why not take a trip to the South Downs with amazing camping spots and a stunning coastline. Or you could drive up to the Cotswolds, with its chocolate box villages, breathtaking scenery and rolling hills. All of these are accessible in under two hours by car.

If its a city break you’re after, Winchester has tonnes of Roman streets, or Hastings, 1.5 hours from Leatherhead, its artsy vibe is the perfect haunt for antique shopping, walks up to the castle, and feeling like a smuggler in its tiny pubs.

Rent in Leatherhead to experience the best of Surrey

Leatherhead has almost everything you could want from your new life in Surrey – whether the kids are down for the weekend and you’re looking for something to do, or want a relaxing week tee-ing off and working on your fitness.

Leatherhead is turning into Surrey’s next place to be with its slower pace and enviable positioning. 39 minutes from Waterloo, 10 mins from areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, what more could you want?

The Oakgate neighbourhood with homes to rent in Leatherhead

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Rent a boutique home in spectacular Surrey

Find new apartments for rent in Surrey at The Oakgate in Leatherhead. Live in the heart of the Surrey Hills where you’re moments from both the countryside and the capital city.

Your next home in Surrey is waiting with a choice of 1-3 bedroom flats to rent in a range of layouts and styles. Pets are welcome at no extra cost and you’ll have access to communal spaces for your relaxing, workout & working needs.

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