Elmbridge News
The latest Elmbridge news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
Free Painshill and Claremont Walks: Elmbridge Autumn Dates
Seven free guided walks at Painshill and Claremont between October and December, booking required. Plus Christmas Day and Boxing Day walks and 10 bike rides.
More stories
Community
Walton Community Hub reopens 29 September: what's on
The old Walton Centre on Manor Road reopens on Tuesday as a charity-run hub: high tea from 2pm, no booking, then a twice-weekly café and a hot lunch open to all.
Business
Love Elmbridge Awards 2026: the 12 winning independents
Residents voted a boxing gym, a deli, a haberdashery and four hair and beauty salons among the 12 best independents in Elmbridge. The full list by town.
Property
Elmbridge house prices rise £13,838 to £748,080 in July
The average Elmbridge home gained £13,838 in the year to July, its strongest rise since July 2025, while Surrey as a whole fell 0.4%. Flats went the other way.
Parks
Elmbridge's £2.2m splashpads must be built in three months
Hersham, Molesey Hurst and Cobham get splashpads worth £2.2m, but the Cabinet paper puts the start at January 2027 and the deadline at the council's last day.
Esher
East Surrey Council HQ Goes to Reigate, Not Esher
Woodhatch Place in Reigate is the new council's headquarters from 1 April 2027. Esher Civic Centre came second, and costs £1.65m a year less to run.
Esher
Mayor of Elmbridge Survives 2027 Council Abolition
Charter trustees will keep the mayoralty, the mace and the coat of arms after 1 April 2027. From April 2028 a precept of roughly £1 to £5 a year pays for it.
Claygate
Oaken Lane Claygate: £1.7m soil risk pushes council to sell
Cabinet agreed on 16 September to market the Claygate rugby pitches rather than pay up to £1.7m to clear the dumped soil. Bidders meet on 14 October.
Planning
Elmbridge Local Plan: £1m to start a plan it cannot finish
Cabinet has approved a Local Plan that adopts in 2029, more than two years after Elmbridge Borough Council is abolished. Consultation opens in November.
Parking
Elmbridge parking fine refunds: 1,220 claims for 9,318 fines
Only 1,220 refund claims are in for 9,318 wrongly issued Elmbridge car park fines. Claims close 1 March 2027: the car parks, the times and the proof you need.
What's On
Heritage Open Days Elmbridge 2026: 17 free events to 20 Sep
Claremont's Belvedere Tower opens for the first time in six years. All 17 free Elmbridge events to 20 September, with times and which ones need booking.
Weybridge
Weybridge Ladies rowing club at 100: 11 GB Olympians
A free display at Weybridge Library runs to 18 January and the 22 September talk is now sold out. Amy Gentry's club has sent 11 rowers to the Olympics.
Walton-on-Thames
Walton and Hersham FC: Xcel bars reopen for home games
The Xcel bars reopened for Saturday's home game after assurances on fan behaviour, and are meant to stay open. The Swans lost 0-2 and have taken no points.
Walton-on-Thames
Walton and Hersham FC: management out after six defeats
Kevin James and Julian Charles left with immediate effect on 31 August after six league defeats. A Bromley goalkeeper has joined on loan for Saturday's home game.
Bins and recycling
Elmbridge bin collections: Veolia takes over in June 2027
Veolia replaces Amey on 6 June 2027 across Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking. Round changes follow that September, and mobile tips are promised.
Cobham
Cobham skatepark opens 12 September after £867,534 build
The new Leg O'Mutton skatepark opens with a free jam from noon on Saturday 12 September. Surrey put in £474,373, Elmbridge £390,000 and crowdfunders £3,161.
Property
Elmbridge house prices fall £16,018 in a year to £743,525
The average Elmbridge home lost £16,018 in the year to June, a 2.1% fall while England rose 1.8%. Detached homes gave up £44,536, the most of any type.
Molesey
Pedals & Pints: Molesey social rides draw 60 to first outing
Angus Effemey's relaxed pub-stop cycling group filled its first ride to Brighton and had to close bookings. A Thames towpath ride follows on 26 September.
Planning
Elmbridge planning: the 15-objection rule ends 31 October
From 31 October, 15 households objecting will no longer force an Elmbridge application in front of councillors, and ward councillors lose their call-in power.
Walton-on-Thames
Walton & Hersham FC Xcel row: club offers to run the bars
The club has offered to run the Xcel matchday bars and guarantee Places Leisure £250 a game. Elmbridge council says it cannot subsidise a private company.
Molesey
Hurst Pool closes 7 September for a £1.45m refurbishment
Hurst Pool closes on 7 September for a £1.45m refurbishment and is due back in January or February 2027. Swimmers are being sent to Xcel in Walton-on-Thames.
Schools
Elmbridge A level results 2026, school by school
Seven Elmbridge sixth forms published 2026 A level results: Reed's 60% at A*/A, Notre Dame 55%, Hinchley Wood a record 73% at A*-B. School by school.
Planning
Chippings Farm, Cobham: 625 homes and a 28ha park
Cala and Burhill's Chippings Farm plan: about 625 homes, half of them affordable, on 85 hectares of Green Belt either side of the A3. Application due this year.