There's nothing like the great outdoors over summer! Sophie Williams looks at 11 awesome outdoor experiences for a fantastic day of family fun in sunny Surrey ...
Growing up in Surrey the summer was the most anticipated time of year—bums barely on seats and eyes glued to the ticking clock, we anxiously waited for that final bell before school finished for the holidays. That bell was followed by six weeks of picnics packed by mum, the smell of cut grass, afternoon choc-ices’, and days out with friends. Once again, we are excited for the holidays, but instead of a choc-ice a nice glass of rosé after a day of adventuring will do just fine.
Summer has arrived, our favourite time of year to celebrate living in Surrey. The sun is shining, the days are long, and it’s time to explore and adventure into the outdoors with friends and family and see what Surrey and South West London have to offer.
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Painshill Park
Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JEDiscover the hidden historical wonders of Painshill Park, 158 acres of 18th century landscape garden perfect for a summer picnic. Painshill is also home to some of Surrey’s best wildlife, making it a photographers delight. Uncover mystical follies, historic plantings, and the hidden caves of the Crystal Grotto. A great adventure for all the family, wander this newly-restored folly, experience the sparkle of hundreds of thousands of crystals as you’re taken back in time, and marvel at the cave’s stalactites that drip from the ceiling.
Find opening times and entry prices at painshill.co.uk
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Guildford Celebrates 150-years of Alice
Beyond the shadowed, chalky ruins of Guildford Castle lies a town that celebrates one of the most loved and best-selling children’s books, Alice in Wonderland. 150 years since (author) Lewis Carroll published the first of Alice and her adventures, this summer the Surrey town of Guildford comes together to celebrate its connection and love of his stories. Carroll not only had a family home in Guildford, but also completed the sequel Through the Looking glass, here in 1871. Both Carroll’s features have recently been brought to life on the big screen.
Why not add a visit to Guildford to your summer itinerary to discover the history and inspiration behind Alice in Wonderland? Set the family up with a scavenger hunt to discover Jean Argent’s life-like sculptures of Alice and the white rabbit dotted around the Castle and the Alice garden. There are also plenty of celebrations happening around town this summer so come and enjoy a Queen of Hearts Afternoon Tea, including yummy jam tarts and Mad Hatter milkshakes, at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Alexandra Terrace.
For more information visit guildford.gov.uk/museum
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Garsons Farm Pick-Your-Own
Show the kids where the journey of fruit and veg begins, pick your own fresh berries and strawberries for your summer Eton mess, or just get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Garsons Farm pick-your-own is a fun, sometimes messy (caution: may lead to sticky fingers and mouths from those rouge strawberries that don’t make the basket) day out for all the family. Garsons in Esher welcomes customers to pick their own seasonal fruit and veg from 30 different crops grown over 150 acres of the largest Pick-Your-Own farm in the UK.
For more information visit: garsons.co.uk
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River Pub Crawl
Fancy a nice pub lunch sat by the river enjoying the summer sun? Forget driving and spend a day on the river. Hampton Ferry Boathouse, located opposite the Bell Inn Pub in Hampton, hires day boats that comfortably seat 6 adults and 2 children with room for the cooler! These day boats are ideal for cruising the Thames, fishing, or visiting the riverside pubs. Weekday, full-day rentals are set at £140, weekends half day (4 hours) £90 and full day (8 hours) £160. Split between a group of friends or a family, the price is thoroughly reasonable for a full day's fun experiencing the river. With your choice of mooring spots for a picnic or a pint at one of the many riverside pubs scattered along the Thames, you’ll be sure to return to see Surrey from the Thames over and over this summer.
Recommended Pub stops
The Bell Inn: Hampton thebellinnhampton.co.uk
The Albany: Thames Ditton (riverside dining) the-albany.co.uk
The Swan: Thames Ditton (riverside dining)
Harts Boatyard: Surbiton (riverside dining) hartsboatyard.co.uk
The Ram: Kingston upon Thames theramkingston.com
Pitcher & Piano: Richmond (terrace & beer garden) pitcherandpiano.com
For more information about boat hire visit hamptonferryboathouse.co.uk
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Surrey Zorbing
Looking for your next adrenaline rush? Try this “ex-hill-erating” downhill craze that everyone is talking about. Hurl yourself into the zorbing experience, choosing from regular zorbing to a hydro water-filled ride to the daring ‘Black Hole’ session which—you guessed it—is an immense sensory ride during which your session is free of all light and sound during your down hill experience. Head down to Go Zorbing London site Salmons Lane, Whyteleafe to see if you can handle it.
For more information and to book visit: zorbing.co.uk
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British Wildlife Centre
Check out what our British wildlife is doing this summer, from owls and red squirrels to otters and badgers. Enter the world of local wildlife at the British Wildlife Centre in Lingford. Ideal for an educational family outing, learn about animals habitats and what you can do at home to help wildlife in your garden. Listen to keeper talks and meet some of the animals, you can even watch the daily owl display, and marvel at these birds in-flight.
At the Barn, Nocturnal House and the Observation Badger Sett you might get to see some very shy and elusive animals that you may not have seen in the wild. There are outdoor and educational play areas galore and even the opportunity to continue the fun at home by adopting an animal and learning even more each month.
For more information visit: britishwildlifecentre.co.uk
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Tudor Joust
This July 16 & 17 you can watch Hampton Court Palace and gardens come alive with the thunder of hooves and the flash of armour at a historical display of Tudor entertainment. Practice your bow or curtsy for HRH King Henry VIII who you might see around court. Witness the theatre and power of the knights jousting and competing for glory.
For more information visit: hrp.org.uk
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Petersham Nurseries
Church Lane, off Petersham Road, Richmond, Richmond, TW10 7AGPetersham Nurseries is a green-fingered haven tucked away just beyond the walls of Richmond Park. Both a tranquil spot for enjoying the blooms and shopping the antiques, the nurseries are also home to their very own Michelin star eatery. A celebrated blend of English and Italian flavours, the menu uses local produce and what is growing in the garden with the changing seasons. The kitchen is led by head chef Damian Clisby, previously head chef at HIX Soho and Cotswold House, and Culinary Director Lucy Boyd. Both a food writer and gardener, Lucy has worked at the Nurseries for the last 10 years. Together this team have created a Michelin star dining treat that is a must-do summer treat.
Café open for lunch Tues – Sunday
Reservations from 12-3pm
For more information visit: petershamnurseries.com
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Open Air Cinema
The Luna Cinema returns to Hampton Court for another year of magnificent outdoor movie viewing under the stars. Be sure to come prepared with a blanket, nibbles and a glass or two of wine and enjoy a summer evening of movie classics. This is a yearly-anticipated event, perfect for date night or something a little different with friends.
Showings:
August 12: Pretty Woman
August 13: Jaws
September 2: Robin Hood
September 3: Notting Hill
For more information and to book visit: thelunacinema.com
You can also check out our full listing of outdoor cinema in Surrey & SW London by clicking here
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Lazy Jazz Sundays
Every Sunday this summer until September from 2-4pm, Polesden Lacey’s south lawn will be filled with the sounds of jazz. Take things slow – it’s Sunday after all – and spend a lazy afternoon relaxing horizontal on your picnic blanket, catching up on some reading, and escaping for a couple of hours before the frantic work week begins anew.
Free event, but normal NT admission fees apply.
For more information visit: nationaltrust.org.uk
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Battersea Park Biking
Battersea Park, Wandsworth, SW11 4NJNot your average bike ride! The large range of fun bike riding experiences on offer at Battersea Park are well worth the trip out of Surrey; try out a tandem bike ride with your other half or let the kids try manoeuvring a banana bike and if you’re feeling really daring, test your balance with a vintage penny-farthing. Cycle the routes around Battersea Park this summer, stop for ice cream or feed the ducks, and enjoy a new mode of transport around this beautiful South West London Park.
For more info see www.londonrecumbents.co.uk
Check out another one of our articles on outdoor fun in Surrey & SW London like our round up of great outdoor cinema or our summary of all the great open air theatre happening in the area
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