Stoke D’Abernon News
Spring 2026 | www.sdra.org.uk
Stoke D’Abernon & District Residents’ Association. Established 1946 and still going strong!
Nelson’s Column
We are grateful to Cobham Dental for covering the cost of designing and printing this newsletter. You may have noticed that the practice in Station Road is expanding and there will be more treatment rooms.
We are producing this Newsletter at a busy time in Stoke D’Abernon. The application to build 250 new homes on Blundel Lane may be considered by Elmbridge planning committee at the end of May. Following our energetic campaign, over 1,300 people submitted objections and many contributed to a fighting fund which raised an impressive £13,000. For many years, our residents’ association has stated its objective as “Making Stoke D’Abernon a better place in which to live and work”. Everything about this proposal would make Stoke D’Abernon a worse place to live and work.
A record 80 residents attended our autumn AGM in the Village Hall. The meeting covered many topics but was lively and brisk. Our Christmas Lights Event at the Old Plough was a great success as usual.
Parking friction continues at St Mary’s Church/Parkside School. On a brighter note, we have enjoyed thousands of new daffodils after the generous donation by Squires of two huge sacks of bulbs.
Finally, we have two insightful articles featuring local businesses, and these underline what a great place Stoke D’Abernon is in which to live.
Ian Nelson Chairman
Half year General Meeting
All are welcome on Tuesday 26th May at 8pm in the Stoke D’Abernon Village Hall, Station Road. Guest speaker from Wildlife Aid in Leatherhead, the renowned wild animal rescue centre. Hear updates on The Paddocks and the Local Elections. The meetings are well attended and informative, finishing by 9.30pm.
Cobham Dental
Cobham Dental offers a wide range of dental services including general dentistry, cosmetic treatment and emergency care.
We strive to provide high-quality personalised care for every patient in a welcoming environment.
What’s so special about The Old Plough?
On any given Monday lunchtime, you might expect a village pub to be quiet. Not so at The Old Plough. With a full car park and a bustling dining room, it’s clear this much-loved local has found the recipe for success, even in challenging times for the hospitality industry. The pub first opened under its current ownership in 2011, after standing closed for some time, and has grown steadily ever since. So, what’s the secret?
According to Director Annie, it starts with a simple philosophy: treat customers as friends and colleagues as family. That ethos runs from directors to new recruits. The business remains proudly independent, hands-on and informal, just as a good pub should be.
Directors roll up their sleeves alongside staff, whether that’s scrubbing the terrace, tending the garden or working a shift. The team is small, both on site and in the office, but highly involved in day-to-day operations. Recruitment focuses less on experience and more on attitude: friendly, enthusiastic people who genuinely want to look after customers.
Quality is another cornerstone; investment in fixtures, fittings, glassware and proper linen napkins reflects the belief that details matter. The menu, the same throughout the pub, bar and restaurant, is designed to be flexible and inclusive, whether guests want a full meal or something lighter. Good, home-cooked food, served efficiently and warmly, is the priority.
The Old Plough is also committed to high standards behind the scenes. With a five-star hygiene rating and rigorous daily checks, cleanliness and consistency are taken seriously. If the kitchen is at full stretch, service is paused rather than compromised, ensuring standards never slip.
Like many pubs, there are challenges: rising costs, wage pressures and the ever-present issue of parking during busy periods. But the team works closely with neighbours and encourages considerate parking, walking or using the train where possible. Being part of the community is central to the pub’s identity.
Above all, The Old Plough sees itself as more than a restaurant – it’s a true community pub. A place where people gather, celebrate, catch up and feel welcome. In a world where many pubs are struggling, its continued success suggests that a clear philosophy, genuine hospitality and attention to detail still go a very long way.
Alison Kilby
The Paddocks
At the time of writing, we are awaiting the Elmbridge Planning Officer’s recommendation on this planning application to build 250 new homes on Blundel Lane. Surrey Highways have objected on safety and policy grounds and we hope that objection will not be overturned; it would be difficult for Elmbridge to approve with the Highways Authority recommending refusal. The next Planning Committee meeting is May 20th, where this application could be considered. Sadly the Clouds Hill Farm application (also for 250 houses on Green Belt) was approved by Councillors at the end of March. We have run an energetic and impressive campaign with much local support.
Our association’s objection was based on professional advice from planning and transport consultants. We think that the location is not only inappropriate but dangerous, given the proximity to the railway bridge which has no pedestrian pavement or cycle lane. At peak times, our roads are overwhelmed by traffic and this scheme would make the situation even worse.
The developers consider the site to be “grey belt” although it is still formally “Green Belt”. It is rural and full of wildlife and green trees. Building 250 dwellings will inflict enormous environmental damage on the area. Having four or five storey buildings would destroy the views from the public footpath by the Shetland Pony site and be totally out of keeping with the area. The site forms an important space separating Cobham and Oxshott.
Thank you to the 1,300 people who submitted objections, one of the highest number ever in Elmbridge. You can be kept in touch by contacting us via our website and asking to be added to our emailing list of over 300 names.
Spotlight on the local housing market
Ian and I sat in Café Barbera with Nick Wheeler who is the branch manager for John D Wood in Cobham. Nick has been with the company for 18 months, and in property for more than two decades. We wanted to hear his perspective on the market, the area, and what buyers and sellers should know right now.
A long-established name with local roots
Although people may associate John D. Wood with its Mayfair origins, the Cobham office has been part of the community for over 30 years. At the time of writing, they have three properties on the market in Stoke D’Abernon.
A manager who knows the area first-hand
Having lived in Stoke D’Abernon for 12 years, Nick understands exactly why so many buyers choose to move here.
“People do what I did – move down the A3 from London for more space,” he said. “We’re surrounded by beautiful countryside, the transport links are excellent, and the amenities are fantastic. You’ve got great coffee shops, the best pub for miles around (The Old Plough!) – and lovely walking routes in every direction. When prompted, Nick added “and a great residents’ association!”.
What’s happening in the market?
Spring and summer are traditionally the busiest months, and this year looks no different.
“There’s good demand,” Nick said, “but the market is very price-sensitive. Buyers at the moment don’t particularly want to take on improvement work”. So his advice to sellers is simple: don’t put off maintenance. “Buyers are factoring in not just the expense but the inconvenience.”
Advice for buyers
His message to buyers is refreshingly straightforward: “Do your research, but don’t rule out a property without seeing it. We’ve sold so many homes to people who initially dismissed them; once they visit, they realise the space or location is exactly what they want.”
Life in Stoke D’Abernon
Summing up what life is like in Stoke D’Abernon, Nick says: “It’s hard to beat – it’s a fantastic place to live.”.
Alison Kilby
Right: Nick with Ian (right)
Council elections on 7th May 2026
Elections took place on 7th May for the new East Surrey Council which will include Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead, and Tandridge Councils as well as a part of Surrey County Council. Stoke D’Abernon is in a new ward called Cobham & Oxshott South. The new council will take effect on 1st April 2027, when the existing authorities will be abolished.
Our two new newly-elected ward councillors are David Lewis and Alan Parker CBE (both Conservative Party). We look forward to working with Alan and David.
Elsewhere in the new East Surrey area, the Liberal Democrats won a large majority of the seats on the new council.
Ditches and Drainage in a Wetter World
Environmental expert Warwick Hutchinson notes that parts of our area are Environment Agency-designated Flood Risk Areas. Many original ditches were unfortunately filled in by residents or builders.
In Blundel Lane, six neighbours jointly funded a drainage company to clear old pipes and install new ones. By collaborating, they secured a significant discount. Well done to them for taking this initiative.
The Sound of Music on our doorstep
Claire King, church warden at St Mary’s Stoke D’Abernon, says that a successful, vibrant programme of services and music over Easter saw Surrey’s oldest church filled with lovely flowers, beautiful music and many smiling faces.
The irritating parking issues mentioned in the last edition are currently receiving the full and dedicated attention of the church wardens.
The popular monthly lunchtime concerts feature truly impressive musicians. On 28th May at 1pm, Ivan Carillo (cello) and Nenji Lock (piano) will be performing. Suggested donation £10. The acclaimed Surrey Bach Festival will take place 13th – 19th July. You can find many more details of this and other activities online at: www.stmarysstokedabernon.org.uk
Stoke D’Abernon in bloom
Last autumn, Squires Garden Centre generously awarded us over 3,000 daffodil bulbs. Several planting sessions were arranged and the results have been spectacular.
The photo shows several hundred new daffodils planted by our team outside Squires.
Annual subscriptions
As members of the Stoke D’Abernon community, we invite everyone to be part of our Residents’ Association by contributing a modest annual fee of £5. We use our income to provide two newsletters, two general meetings, a website, plant trees, a Christmas Lights Event and we pay for insurance cover. From time to time we contribute to other nearby resident groups, for example to help protect our Green Belt.
You can give your £5 to your road representative in cash (preferably not a cheque) or by bank transfer to: Stoke D’Abernon Residents’ Association Sort code: 09-06-66. Account: 41936443. (Your ref: surname, house name or no, road).
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