THE MYSTERY OF A LOST BATTLEFIELD AT TANHURST ESTATE
THE BATTLE OF ACLEA
We warmly welcome visitors to Tanhurst Estate today. However, 1,275 years ago, Viking arrivals would have got a very different reception! That’s because local historian Murray Price believes the major Battle of Aclea between Saxon and Viking soldiers might have taken place right here on the slopes of Leith Hill. However, the exact location is a mystery because medieval records are vague and no definitive physical artifacts have been found.
Murray and his team of metal detectorists, the Bearded Bleepers, recently came to Tanhurst Estate with our permission to search for clues!
The Bearded Bleepers search for buried artifacts and historical sites in Surrey. We were delighted to host them, along with BBC broadcasters Simon Furber and Fiona McCarthy, at our vineyard café in Hither Barn, where they recorded a documentary about the ancient mystery. Titled The Lost Battle of Surrey, the episode features in the popular regional BBC Secret Surrey series.
ABOUT THE BEARDED BLEEPERS
The Bearded Bleepers are a team of five local metal detectorists dedicated to uncovering Surrey’s buried history. Their finds range from Roman relics to World War II artifacts, which they log via the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Some of their notable local discoveries, like a 700-year-old medieval heraldic mount, have been exhibited at the Shere Museum.
What was the Battle of Aclea and where did it take place?
The Battle of Aclea was fought in 851AD between an invading Danish Viking army (who had landed from 350 ships and attacked Canterbury and London) and the army of Wessex led by King Æthelwulf and his son Æthelbald. It was one of the most important Saxon victories against the Vikings and was recorded by chroniclers as “the greatest slaughter of a heathen raiding-army” up to that time.
ACLEA, AN OLD ENGLISH NAME MEANING "OAK FIELD"
Many historians believe the battle took place somewhere in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, but the exact site remains a mystery. Contemporary sources state the battle took place at Aclea, an Old English name meaning “Oak Field” which could apply to Ockley, as the Surrey village is still surrounded by oak trees. The village also sits near the foot of Leith Hill on the old Roman road Stane Street, the likely route the Vikings would have taken south from London Bridge and the same route the West Saxons would have travelled north.
Tanhurst Estate Vineyard is near the village of Ockley just a few miles away on the slopes of Leith Hill, so we are situated within the candidate battlefield area.
LACK OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROOF
Despite ongoing searches, metal detectorists and researchers have yet to uncover definitive debris—such as specific Viking weapons or uniform fittings—that would prove the exact spot of the battlefield.
Delve into Surrey’s remarkable history
🎧 Listen to “The Lost Battle of Surrey” on BBC Sounds
Do tune into this interesting discussion about one of area’s greatest historical mysteries. It is incredible to think that one of the most important Saxon victories over the Vikings may have taken place beneath our vineyards at Tanhurst Estate.
TANHURST ESTATE VINEYARD & CAFE
Our Tanhurst Estate Vineyard Café provides the perfect pitstop for walkers, cyclists and other explorers, and offers our own estate-grown wines, Chimney Fire coffee, and delicious local bakes.
Location: Birketts Farm, Tanhurst Lane, Holmbury Saint Mary, Dorking
Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed Monday to Friday)
** PLEASE NOTE The Vineyard Café will be closed the weekend of the 15th & 16th of August 2026 due to staff holiday.
