On Saturday 16th November, Leith Hill Place, near Dorking, will be opening its doors for free as part of the nationwide Being Human Festival, in conjunction with the University of Surrey.
Drawing inspiration from the theme ‘landmarks’, visitors are invited to come and explore how landscape and place shapes our lives through archaeology, poetry, music, performance and art.
Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own personal stories of Surrey residents, both past and present. If someone has made a cultural impact, in their own lives or the lives of others, then join in with sharing these stories in the new interactive Surrey Cultural Lives map.
The childhood home of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, Leith Hill Place has inspired musicians, artists and scientists over the years.
On the day, hear more about the man behind the musician with a talk by on Vaughan Williams by Catherine McCusker and how his legacy lives on at Leith Hill Place today. There’ll also be live music from acoustic fiddle and guitar folk duo, D’Arcy Duo.
There will be storytelling, performance and poetry as Leith Hill Place’s artist in residence Rosie May Jones brings together the culmination of her three-month residency exploring how we shape our identities through our relationships with the land.
Charles Darwin’s ‘worm stones’ can still be found in the surrounding grounds of Leith Hill today. During the day, archaeologist Elsie Unwin will be exploring how stones can become landmarks, create moments of reflection and embed our stories in time. Visitors can join in workshops, paint their own stones and place them in cairns with dry stone wall builder, Emma Yates.
Plus, there will be the opportunity to handle a neolithic axe head discovered by a family on a dog walk near Redhill.
Being Human takes place on Saturday 16th November, 10am-4pm at Leith Hill Place, nr Dorking Surrey, RH5 6LU
The festival is free to everyone. There will be free shuttle buses running Dorking station and Cranleigh Leisure centre. There is also parking on site. For more details and to book your free ticket please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill.
