Accessible Seating
We are very sorry but at the moment accessible seats cannot be booked online.
If you require an accessible seat, please call the Box Office on 01306 881717 or email Box.Office@molevalley.gov.uk and they will arrange this for you.
Essential Companion Scheme
Dorking Halls would like everyone to enjoy our venue, so from 28 May 2026, we have partnered with Nimbus using the Access Card Scheme.
We offer free Essential Companion tickets, subject to proof of eligibility which is administered by Nimbus Disability on our behalf. This facility is available to customers who require additional support or assistance as a result of a disability or long-term health condition, as defined by the Equality Act (2010).
By accepting this ticket your companion, who must be aged over 16, accepts responsibility for providing the additional support you require to access our venues and services, including in an emergency situation or evacuation and must be capable and available to provide this support throughout your visit.
Who is eligible?
Essential Companion tickets are intended for customers requiring additional support. This must be due to disability-related needs, significant and in excess of what could be reasonably expected of family or friends already accompanying you.
Please note that Nimbus may not award the Essential Companion symbol for children under 16, as children are always required to be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult in our venues.
Proof of eligibility
To book Essential Companion tickets please provide one of the following:
- Access Card with the +1 or +2 symbol
OR
- FREE Dorking Halls Digital Access Pass (with the +1 symbol), for use with Dorking Halls only.
If you have one of the above, simply link your Access Card or Digital Access Pass details to your account using this link here.
If you don’t yet have an Access Card or Dorking Halls Digital Access Pass, you can apply online using this link here.
Do I need to pay for an Access Card?
No, you can choose between the free Digital Access Pass that works only with Dorking Halls or you can opt to apply for the paid-for physical card that can then be used at thousands of events and venues around the UK. The difference is outlined in our FAQ section below.
Why are we working with Nimbus Disability’s Access Card?
We have partnered with Nimbus Disability and The Access Card; a universal way of communicating your access requirements as a disabled person because we support their aim of a consistent approach to complementary companion tickets.
Nimbus Disability is a social enterprise and an organisation run by and for disabled people and is recognised as a lead authority on accessible ticketing in the UK.
The system offers greater privacy, as people with access requirements will no longer need to carry supporting documents or explain circumstances to staff. You’ll only need to supply the information once.
We will provide a complimentary Essential Companion ticket where your Access Card or Dorking Halls Digital Access Pass has the +1 or +2 symbol highlighted.
What is the difference between the Access Card and the free registration?
| What is the cost? | Do I receive a card? | Where can I use it? | How long does it last? | |
| Free Digital Access Pass | Free | Digital account only | With Dorking Halls only | 3 years |
| Access Card | £15 | Physical card | In any organisation | 3 years |
Full details are available on the Nimbus Disability Access Card website.
For those unable to apply online, Nimbus will be able to assist with telephone registration. You can schedule this by calling them on 0330 808 5108.
Terms and Conditions
Please review our full Terms and Conditions, which apply to all bookings and customers including the essential companion.
Essential Companion tickets can only be booked alongside a paid ticket.
Please note that we may not award Essential Companion tickets for children under 16, as children are always required to be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult in our venues.
The companion must be at least 16 years of age, and a companion aged 16 or 17 is not permitted to supervise anyone aged 15 or under.
- Although we recognise the support provided by young carers, our policy is that young people aged 15 and under must be supervised on our premises, and we must be confident that companions could assist effectively in the event of an emergency.
- Where a child under 16 is presented as an essential companion we reserve the right to charge full price for their ticket or refuse admission.
Please note that we operate Challenge 25, and that if your assistant or companion is aged 16 or 17 we will not allow them to purchase alcohol on your behalf.
Essential Companion tickets can be returned at any time if they are no longer required, and we encourage you to do so at the earliest opportunity to enable the ticket to be used by others. Customers who repeatedly book Essential Companion tickets and do not use them will have this facility removed from their account.
As this policy is potentially open to misuse we require proof of eligibility as described above. Where a customer provides suitable proof of eligibility Dorking Halls will enable booking of essential companion tickets immediately. Where a customer does not have the required proof of eligibility we defer to Nimbus Disability’s Access Card, via our free registration service. We will abide by Nimbus’ decision on whether the customer is eligible. If a customer seeks to provide us with alternative forms of proof of eligibility which Dorking Halls are not able to process, we will direct them to the free registration process.
We will not authorise the sale of essential companion tickets to people who are not able to provide the required proof, which we consider to be fair and reasonable, and in line with the policies of similar organisations. This is to protect the integrity of the scheme and ensure that this facility remains available to those customers who could not attend without additional support. We will remove the ability to book such tickets from anyone found to be misusing this facility.
To discuss your accessibility needs further, please email our Essential Companion Champion on dhaccess@molevalley.gov.uk
Hearing Impaired
The Grand, Martineau and Masonic Halls are fitted with infra-red hearing induction loops. There are headsets and neck loops available on the day for all Films/Screenings & most of our Live Shows; please contact the Box Office for details.
Dorking Halls can be contacted using NGT Relay.
Visually Impaired
Partially slighted or blind customers can sit anywhere, with or without a companion. We recommend that customers whose vision is limited be accompanied, as they may find it difficult to leave the building in an emergency.
Assistance dogs are welcome at Dorking Halls. We love dogs! When making a booking please inform the Box Office, so they can ensure adequate space adjacent to an aisle is booked.
Braille signage is located throughout the building.
Large print versions of all our literature are available on request.
Mobility Impaired
There are seats that can be accessed without the use of steps in all of our halls. We can provide a limited number of wheelchair spaces in the Grand Hall, the Martineau Hall and in the Masonic Hall. Early booking is recommended.
For customers who have difficulty with steps, there is un-stepped level access and automatic doors at the entrance. Lift access is available to all floors.
Please note that due to Health and Safety reasons, our staff are unable to assist those who require help getting in and out of their transport or mobility equipment.
Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available by the entrance, opposite the Box Office.
Dorking Halls is happy to make special arrangements for customers needing extra help getting to their seats. If you would like to visit us to familiarise yourself with the layout, please contact our Box Office team on 01306 881717.
Our staff are regularly provided with basic training in disability awareness and are familiar with our Disability Access Policy, so are happy to answer any questions you have.
If you have any suggestions on how we can improve your visit, we’d love to hear from you. Please email dorking.halls@molevalley.gov.uk
