Aircraft noise in Dorking (RH4, RH5)
Aircraft fly over Dorking roughly 5 times a day, the bulk of them helicopters and light aircraft, below 3,000 ft. Estimated peak ground noise reaches 83–87 dB. It ranks #27 of 29 Gatwick areas for aircraft noise exposure. (Flight Path Noise monitoring data, 36.7 days to 2026-08-23.)
Data: 36.7 days to 2026-08-23 · all tracked aircraft over Dorking · updated monthly
Where the noise comes from
Helicopters & other light aircraft
4 overflights/day (100%) · typically 1,400 ft
The regular low traffic is general aviation: light aircraft and helicopters following the North Downs and the A24 gap at about 1,400 ft.
Light-aircraft counts are tracked overflights only — many training and private aircraft carry no ADS-B transponder, so true numbers are higher.
How nearby areas compare
| Area | Overflights / day | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Tadworth and Epsom Downs | 10 | #14 |
| Leatherhead | 6 | #22 |
| Great Bookham and Fetcham | 6 | #23 |
| Ashtead | 5 | #28 |
| Dorking | 5 | #27 |
Common questions
- Is Dorking under a flight path?
- Yes — Dorking is directly under the area's flight paths, with around 5 overflights on a typical day, mostly arrivals.
- What time do planes start over Dorking?
- The first movements typically pass over Dorking around 10:32am, building through the morning peak.
- Is it quieter in Dorking on weekends?
- Weekends are actually busier here — about 25% more overflights than weekdays (6 vs 5 a day).
Checking a specific address?
This page shows area-wide averages. An address report gives you the exact overflight count, altitudes, hourly pattern and noise estimate for one property. Leave your email and we'll let you know when reports are ready for Dorking.
