The 10 Best Things To Do In Surrey

Surrey is, without a doubt, one of the UK’s most beautiful counties. Situated in southeast England and not far from the greater London area, its gorgeous twilight views were most famously immortalised in John Betjeman’s poem “A Subaltern’s Love-Song”, and it’s also one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country.

If you’re heading to Surrey for your next trip, you’ve made the right decision – it’s a great place full of varied activities, and it’s not the kind of destination that would break the bank either (although, of course, there are always loans available if you need funding for your jaunt). Here are the 10 best things to do in Surrey.

1. Explore the countryside

As one of the most beautiful natural spots in the UK, Surrey has countryside that’s ripe for exploration. Take a picnic with you as you wander the gently rolling hills and gaze out across the fields. Stop at one of the many quaint villages dotted throughout Surrey and grab a bite to eat from one of the rustic pubs you’ll find along the way. Just setting out to explore will put so much great stuff in your path, you won’t even need an itinerary!

2. Tour the wineries

Surrey is well-known for its winemaking activities, and there are plenty of wineries to explore if you’re of a mind to learn about everyone’s favourite tipple. If you’re more into beer, you’ll also find lots of breweries in Surrey that will give you an insight into how the local draught is made. Of course, these places often also have great bars built into them, so once you’re done with the tour, you can work off your thirst.

3. Try Segway Unleashed

Have you ever seen someone riding a Segway along the pavement or through a park and wished you could try it out for yourself? Surrey has just such a facility. Segway Unleashed, as the name suggests, lets you loose on one of these machines in an off-road environment, challenging you to navigate the tricky terrain using your Segway skill. It’s a great day out that all the family can enjoy, and it’s perfect as a more off-kilter holiday activity.

4. Visit Thorpe Park

As one of the UK’s most famous theme parks, Thorpe Park is a magnificent location for a family day out. It’s located, as you might imagine, in the village of Thorpe, and it’s got plenty of thrills and rides for you to check out, as well as restaurants and other attractions. If you’ve ever been to Drayton Manor or Alton Towers, you can expect a similarly exciting experience from Thorpe Park, so make sure to add this to your list if you prefer a more active day out.

5. Play some golf

You might think that in order to play golf, you need to be a paid-up member of a golf club or society, but that’s simply not the case. There are many golf courses around Surrey where you can rock up, pay your fee, and be on the green swinging your clubs in minutes. Taking advantage of Surrey’s beautiful rural beauty, these golf courses offer a wonderful, tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s cities.

6. Explore Guildford Castle

Any trip to Surrey should, by necessity, include a diversion to the beautiful Guildford Castle. It’s a historic site that really makes you feel like you’re immersed in the English past; although nobody knows exactly when Guildford Castle was built, estimates suggest it was constructed sometime after William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, which should give you a strong sense of the historicity of the place. Suffice it to say this is a must-visit for academia buffs.

7. Be among the trees in Winkworth Arboretum

If all of these man-made structures are bringing you down, then you may wish to visit Winkworth Arboretum, which is a gorgeous National Trust site in Busbridge. This is a glorious place to walk a dog, stroll with your family, or just sit and be alone with your thoughts if you prefer. You’ll be surrounded by trees on all sides, making this an ideal place to visit if you’re a nature-lover and you want to feel inspired by the natural beauty of the world.

8. Explore Hatchlands Park

When many non-English people think of England, they tend to think of grand, stately country manors. The country hasn’t been like that for a long time, of course, but Hatchlands Park gives the impression that it still is, and that’s almost certainly worth an afternoon’s exploration. This beautiful estate almost always has something interesting going on, and there’s a cafe on-site, too, so you can pick up a coffee while you stroll.

9. Catch a food festival

You can take pretty much anywhere in the world and say that it’s “known for its food”, but Surrey, especially, has a thriving gourmet foodie scene. Woking, Guildford, and many other places in the county host their own food festivals, where you can usually find some delicious morsels ripe for the tasting. Make sure that wherever you happen to be staying in Surrey, you take a look at whether there’s a local food festival happening near you.

10. Visit Skaterham

We end with something a little more unusual. If you’re into skating, then you simply must visit Skaterham, a skater-friendly park located in (where else?) Caterham. You can go along and enjoy an afternoon’s riding whether you’re a skateboarder, a BMX rider, or just a rubbernecker looking to check out some impressive feats of athleticism. This isn’t an activity for the faint of heart, but if you’re already invested in the hobby, this is a spot you’ve got to check out.