History & Heritage in Surrey
Surrey is a truly historic place with fascinating heritage. From castles to cathedral, settlements to stately homes, evidence of Surrey's rich heritage and history can be found in abundance throughout the county.
Visit the monument where the great charter, the Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede in 1215. A Surrey meadow was the setting for one of the defining events in English history, when King John gave his grudging assent to a Charter of Liberties curbing royal power. The Charter is now known throughout the world as Magna Carta. Climb up to the ancient Iron Age fort situated on Holmbury Hill, the 4th highest point in the county, or discover parts of one of England's most important Roman roads, still visible at Mickleham Downs.
Surrey's glorious architecture and beautiful parks and gardens are often featured in films and TV Dramas which makes them so interesting to visit. Scenes from the historical drama Bridgerton were shot in Painshill, the stunning Elizabethan Loseley House is a film location for The Crown and the BBC comedy series Ghosts was filmed entirely at West Horsley Place. Our historic treasures provide for great days out in Surrey.
For a more in-depth look at Surrey's history take a look at our History of Surrey page.
Explore Surrey's Stately Homes and Castles
Hampton Court Palace
Credit: Historic Royal Palaces
Polesden Lacey
Credit: National Trust
Loseley Park
Credit: Loseley Park
History & Heritage Events
Exhibition: A History of Farnham Crafts | Museum of Farnham
Why is Farnham a 'World Craft Town'? What makes it so? Traveling back to the Stone Age, this…
Exhibition: Building a Future for the Past: Farnham's Georgian Heritage
Explore the Georgian face of Farnham presented in pencil drawings and sketches by Harold Falkner…
Secret Guildford: Locations and secret agents of the Special Operations Executive in World War Two
Dates: 11 November 2023 to 13 April 2024 Times: available during opening hours Free entry The…
Shadbolt Park Heritage Walk
The Shadbolt Legacy: a small park and garden in the very northernmost part of Surrey inspired local…
Family Activitys at West Horsley Place
Hop over to West Horsley Place this Easter for a family day out. Enjoy: A rabbit trail in the…
Family Open Days | West Horsley Place
Are you a BBC Ghosts fan? Would you like to visit the real Button House this Easter holiday? Well…
Jody Cooksley: Uncle Jim's Tin | Cranleigh Arts
Join award-winning local author, Jody Cooksley, on a journey through the creative writing process as…
Sarah Gristwood: Author Talk | Cranleigh Arts
Sarah Gristwoodis a biographer, journalist and commentator on royal affairs. Her previous books…
Brief Encounters: Guildford Town Guides
Since the 18th Century, Guildford has had well known connections with the theatre and theatrical…
Ewell History Walk
Peel back time and discover Ewell's hidden past and unseen history with a guided walk around the…
Guildford Cathedral Tours - 5 April
Cathedral Tours Friday 5th April 2024 at 10.30am Have you ever wondered about how and why the…
Guildford Cathedral Tower Tours - 5 April
Friday 5 April at 12.30pm Ever wondered what the view would be like from the top of Guildford…
Film Show: A Call to Spy | Guildhall Guildford
Saturday 6 April Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit Guildford…
Blossom Open Day | Gatton Park
Enjoy Gatton Park in bloom including our young cherry trees funded by the Japanese Embassy as part…
Guildford Lions Classic Car Display
Date: Sunday 7th April 2024 Time: 10.00am until 4.00pm. Location: High Street, Guildford…
Coffee Time Talk: My Natural World
Thursday 11 April Pre-book your place by emailing heritageservices@guildford.gov.uk or telephoning…
Roman Ewell Talk
The Romans are coming, building that newfangled thing called a road through the area, and changing a…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 13 April
Date: Saturday 13 April 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Meet at Tunsgate Arch…
The Worst Jobs at Sea
Discover the worst jobs at sea, including the roles of the Scrubber, the Cook, the Powder Monkey and…
Willmer House Building Tours | Museum of Farnham
Intrigued by our Building a Future for the Past exhibition? Jump back in time to 1718 and join us…
Denbies Vintage & Collectables Fair
Visit Denbies for our Vintage & Collectables Fairs, displaying jewellery, antiques, and much…
London Bus Museum Spring Gathering 2024 at Brooklands Museum
14 April 2024 10am - 5pm The South East’s biggest, longest-running and best-loved bus…
Guildford Cathedral Tours - 17 April
Cathedral Tours Wednesday 17th April 2024 at 2.00pm Have you ever wondered about how and why…
Flora Carr: The Tower | West Horsley Place
A fiery feminist retelling of Mary, Queen of Scot's darkest hour, The Tower is a new novel from…
Guildford Cathedral Tower Tours - 20 April
Wednesday 20 April at 12.30pm Ever wondered what the view would be like from the top of Guildford…
Mary Watts: In Her Own Right |The Guildford Institute
Mary Seton Fraser Tytler (1849 – 1938) was amongst the first British women to study art…
Wanborough Barn Open Days - 28 April
The Great Barn at Wanborough lies just to the north of the Hog's Back. It is one of the largest…
Coffee Time Talk: Munich and the Czech Refugees in Surrey
Thursday 2 May Pre-book your place by emailing heritageservices@guildford.gov.uk or telephoning…
Italian Car Day 2024 at Brooklands Museum
4 May 2024 9am - 5pm One of the biggest events of the year at Brooklands, celebrating the UK’s…
Make Your Own Terrarium | Gatton Park
Sometimes referred to as a garden under glass, terrariums are a beautiful additional to a home. Join…
Open Day | Gatton Park
Enjoy 250 acres of 'Capability' Brown parkland and Edwardian gardens. Head Gardener Dan Ryan…
Surrey Day at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village
Explore the unique history of Watts Gallery - Artists' Village. Enjoy free entry and site tours…
The Iron Age the end of prehistory
The Iron Age lasted from 800 BC to the Roman invasion. The use of iron changed the life of folk with…
What's it like to be a Benedictine monk? Public talk
Rooted in centuries old tradition, this enlightening event promises to unravel the mysteries behind…
Go Grab Life Charity Walk
Join us for our Go Grab Life Walk at the beautiful De Vere Horsley Estate on Sunday 19th May. Set…
Wanborough Barn Open Days - 19 May
The Great Barn at Wanborough lies just to the north of the Hog's Back. It is one of the largest…
Guildford Cathedral Tours - 29 May
Cathedral Tours Wednesday 29th May 2024 at 2.00pm Have you ever wondered about how and why…
Double 12 Brooklands Relived |Brooklands Museum
.Sunday 16th June 2024, 10am-5pm Step back in time for a day that will evoke the glamour and…
Wanborough Barn Open Days - 16 June
The Great Barn at Wanborough lies just to the north of the Hog's Back. It is one of the largest…
London Bus Museum Summer Festival 2024
Sunday 23 June 2024 10am - 5pm London Bus Museum’s summer event returns with live…
Brooklands Motorcycle Day 2024
7 July 2024 10am - 5pm Join us as we celebrate a staggering legacy of motorcycling at Brooklands…
Wanborough Barn Open Days - 14 July
The Great Barn at Wanborough lies just to the north of the Hog's Back. It is one of the largest…
Exhibition: Greetings from Farnham! Postcards Through Time | Museum of Farnham
Celebrate the iconic postcard and discover the changing face of 20th century Farnham. Open Wednesday…
Wanborough Barn Open Days - 18 August
The Great Barn at Wanborough lies just to the north of the Hog's Back. It is one of the largest…
Guildford Heritage Open Days 2024
GUILDFORD HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 13 - 15 SEPTEMBER England's largest festival of history and…