As the timing of Surrey Day 2025 coincides with the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we will be exploring how Surrey was impacted by World War Two on Saturday May 10.
From aircraft production and special forces training to defensive installations and bomber damage, Surrey was forever changed by the impact of World War Two – and, if you look closely, you will still find the signs today.
In recent months, a team featuring Simon Furber and Lewis Mason from BBC Surrey and Visit Surrey’s Chris Howard, has been up and down the county uncovering some of the most fascinating stories.
BBC Surrey’s How World War Two shaped Surrey podcast will be aired in full on Surrey Day from 6pm, but here is a taste of just some of the World War Two sites that you may hear about on the show and across the day itself.
The Atlantic Wall at Hankley Common
Hidden away deep in the Surrey countryside sits a piece of iconic British history that helped the Allies prepare for the D-Day landings in 1944. A replica of the Nazi-built Atlantic Wall can be found on Hankley Common on the MOD training estate. The reinforced structure measures 100m long, 3m high and 3.5m wide, and was used to help training troops practise techniques to attack and breach the German defences across Western Europe.
B17 wartime plane crash on Reigate Hill
In a clearing in the trees on Reigate Hill is a memorial dedicated to nine USAAF airmen who were tragically killed when their plane, a B-17(G) Flying Fortress, crashed into the hill on the evening of Monday 19 March 1945. The crew, from the 384th Bombardment Group, were returning to their base at Grafton Underwood in Northamptonshire after an operation near the German-Czech border.
Barnes Wallis and Burhill Golf Club
Lord Iveagh agreed with the government that the Ministry of Aircraft Production could requisition Burhill Golf Club for use of a workforce of 200, headed by Barnes Wallis, creator of the famous ‘Bouncing Bomb’. Barnes was also known for his design of several aircraft including the Wellington, Warwick and Windsor bombers.
Brooklands in Weybridge
During World War Two, Brooklands became a crucial site for military aircraft production, particularly for the Vickers Wellington bomber and the Hawker Hurricane fighter. On Wednesday September 4, 1940, at precisely 1324hrs, the Vickers aircraft factory at Brooklands was bombed by the German Luftwaffe. The attack which lasted three minutes was considered at the time the most devastating raid on any aircraft factory in Britain and claimed almost 90 lives with over 400 injured.
Brookwood Military Cemetery in Woking
Brookwood Military Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery in the United Kingdom. It specifically commemorates casualties from both World War One and Two, with a significant section dedicated to World War Two personnel, including a memorial for those with no known grave. Find out more about Surrey Day at Brookwood American Military Cemetery and Brookwood Cemetery.
Canada Hall in Merstham
Canada Hall was built by the Canadians during World War Two after the original Victorian church was bombed earlier in the conflict. The church is based on traditional wooden churches that were common in Canada at the time. They used reclaimed wood from the bombed out Victorian church to create this wooden building that still stands to this day. The building was created by the men of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. It was the only church on mainland Britain to be consecrated during World War Two.
Dunsfold Airfield
Dunsfold Airfield was cleared of woodland, farmland and buildings to form the Canadian Air Force airbase in 1942. Units of Canadian troops cleared land requisitioned from the people to form runways, perimeter roads and after little more than one month the first aircraft had landed.
Headley Heath
During the Second World War, Headley Heath was used by the Canadian Army as a training ground, firstly as defence against the threat of German invasion and later, in preparation for D-Day and liberating occupied Europe. From late 1939, the Canadian 1st Division and associated units (around 23,000 all ranks) arrived in the south of England. In the aftermath of the fall of France, a new Anglo-Canadian 7th Corps was formed to help defend Britain from an expected German invasion. The Corps headquarters were at Headley Court.
Kenley Airfield
RAF Kenley is considered to be the most intact Fighter Command airfield associated with the Battle of Britain to have survived. While the airfield has seen some changes and damage over the years, it retains a significant number of original features and infrastructure, including blast pens and the runway layout. It's now home to Surrey Hills Gliding Club.
Limpsfied Air raid shelters at Limpsfield Common
During the Second World War, and particularly during the Battle of Britain in 1940, many ferocious dogfights occurred in the skies above east Surrey and Kent. German bomber plans also often flew overhead on their way to target London. Although sometimes the aircrafts shed their bombs over Limpsfield Common as they fled the country pursued by British fighters. Air raids were a very real threat to the people living in this area and in order to protect the students of Limpsfield School six air raid shelters were built on Limpsfield Common at the start of the war. The National Trust will be hosting an open day at the air raid shelters for Surrey Day on Saturday May 10.
Museum of Military Medicine in Pirbright
For over 200 years, the men and women of the Army Medical Services have been saving our lives and improving our health and wellbeing. Their stories and contributions are told at the Museum of Military Medicine in Pirbright. The museum is located in Keogh Barracks and is open to the public.
Runnymede Memorial
The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000 men and women of the air forces, who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth.
Shepperton Studios
Shepperton Studios, then known as Sound City Film Studios, manufactured props for a wartime programme to create fake bombing targets, according to local historian Nick Pollard. Film technicians created false aircraft to attract Luftwaffe pilots away from genuine Royal Air Force facilities. The site also made genuine aircraft parts after the nearby Vickers factory was bombed in 1940. Shepperton Studios is now the second biggest film studio in the world and home to Amazon MGM Studios and Netflix.
Surrey History Centre
Surrey History Centre in Woking has an interactive Surrey World War Two Bomb Incident map, which is part of an ongoing volunteer-led project.
Village at War in Tilford
Tilford, a Village at War is one of the premier second world war re-enactment events in the UK and the Rural Life Museum is hosting it on Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11 in 2025. This year, will celebrate 25 years of Village at War and mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The day begins and ends with the colours ceremony on the village green, visitors explore the military encampments, visit the RAF plotting room, witness bomb disposal, learn about rationing and the war on the home front and experience the chaos of an air raid.
Wanborough Great Barn near Guildford
The 14th Century Great Barn of Wanborough is one of the oldest timber structures in south east England and an impressive and inspiring example of medieval design. During the Second World War, the Special Operations Executive (SOE) were based here, using the Manor House as a training school for the French section.
- Learn more about this year's Surrey Day celebrations and how you can get involved here.
- How is Surrey celebrating VE Day in 2025?
