Enjoy the bank holiday safely in Surrey - Visit Surrey Newsletter

25th August 2020

Photo: The wonderful gardens and riverside location of Hampton Court Palace

Longing for the weekend?

Hi there, with the bank holiday weekend sailing in at speed, here we showcase some of Surrey's alternative waterside escapes, as well as other great places to relax and unwind in the coming week. We hope you enjoy your Surrey adventures, wherever they take you!

The Visit Surrey team

A wet and wild adventure in Surrey

Photo: Take to the water at Aqua Sports, Merstham 

Some of our more popular ponds and river parks have been in high demand over the summer, leading to overcrowding.  Here at Visit Surrey we want to tell you about some of the great ways you can enjoy waterside pursuits this Bank Holiday weekend,and into September... without the crowds.  

At Mercer’s Lake in Merstham for instance, you’ll find Aqua Sports where you can learn to sail, windsurf and more in pristine waters.

While not for swimming in, Virginia Water Lake is a huge expanse to stroll around with beautiful blooms, iconic ruins and shady spots to relax under the trees. The wonderful Savill Garden is just next door too. Just down the road, Painshill is another idyllic destination to enjoy a lakeside breeze.

Head for the River Thames at Kingston and you’ll discover GoBoat, where you can hire a self-drive electric boat to explore to the likes of Hampton Court Palace and other riverbank favourites.

The Runnymede on Thames hotel and spa at Egham also has boat hire to add to its riverside dining options.

Of course, with the River Mole, River Tillingbourne, River Wey and River Thames all running through parts of our county, there are plenty of opportunities to explore riverside. But enjoy Surrey safely!  Take nothing but photos and share them with us on our Instagram account, leave nothing but footprints, and beware of swimming in canals and rivers - they often have hidden, dangerous undercurrents.

Where to explore this bank holiday weekend

Photo: 20 ideas for Surrey staycations in 2020

Okay, so we might be a little biased at Visit Surrey, but we really think there's no better place to be over the August bank holiday weekend than in Surrey. From discovering supersonic flight at the home of Concorde to indulging in delicious food and drink in the great outdoors with the sustainably minded The Salt Box, there's so much to do here in our beautiful county. Click here for bank holiday inspiration.    

Find the latest events in Surrey in our online events diary

On the map

Here you'll find a selection of our Visit Surrey members and what they've got on the horizon for your enjoyment in the coming weeks. Please remember, that while most attractions and destinations are now open, many require pre-booking.

Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden
Nestled in a woodland valley just outside the village of Ockley lies a sculpture garden unlike any other. Created over 35 years ago, The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden exhibits an ever-changing collection of sculpture in magical gardens. Read more.

Dorking, an historic market town
A gateway to the Surrey Hills, Dorking boasts incredible outstanding natural beauty that draws those with an independent, free spirit to the town and surrounding countryside. Discover antiques, heritage and excellent food and drink. Read more. 

Watts Gallery, Compton
Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village is a unique art gallery and heritage site with Arts & Crafts buildings, learning studios for art and pottery, a tea shop and beautifully landscaped woodlands and grounds, all just 40 minutes from London. Read more.

Loseley Park, Guildford
While the house itself is an incredible historic treasure, Loseley Park's gardens are comparable with any. The Walled Garden, Rose Garden, Flower Garden, White Garden and herb and vegetable gardens are all as inspiring to the casual visitor as they are gardening lovers. Read more.

Garsons,
Esher
Garsons is a family-owned business with an award-winning garden centre and farm shop, and is home to one of the UK’s largest pick your own farms. Pre-booked farm passes are essential for the PYO this year. Located between Hersham and Esher, Garsons has something for all the family. Read more. 

The Red Barn, Lingfield
Only a five minute drive from Lingfield station, the Red Barn oozes character and boasts large indoor and outdoor spaces. It's perfect for drinks in the sunshine with great views. They serve seasonal British food, including excellent Sunday roasts, and a wide drinks selection. Read more.  

Click here to find some of the best hotels in Surrey

About Visit Surrey

Visit Surrey is the official tourist board of our county. It is run as a not for profit community company promoting Surrey to local residents and international travellers as a great place to visit. Tourism promotion helps to enhance the image of Surrey and its iconic landscape and key attractions, as well as support the many businesses that rely on visitors. The Visit Surrey website receives more than 1.4 million unique visits a year. 

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