 Cotmandene is a area of common land to the east of the town centre, (the name is thought to mean "the heath of the poor cottages").Cricket matches were played on the heath during the 18th century and are recorded in Edward Beavan's 1777 poem "Box Hill".A painting entitled "A Cricket Match on Cotmandene, Dorking" by the artist James Canter, dating to around 1770, is now held by the Marylebone Cricket Club.