The Sculpture Park
A perfect place for art lovers, families and individuals to explore - you will not be disappointed!
Itineraries for days out in Waverley
Time out just for you
Making time for regular self-care is an investment in your overall wellbeing and there’s no shortage of options available in Waverley. Whether it’s a hot towel shave at the barbers, a new beauty treatment at a salon or even addressing a sports injury or taking an overdue trip to the dentist or opticians, taking time out to look after yourself is time well spent. Check out this month’s ‘must reads’ at the Blue Bear Bookshop, call in for a swim at the leisure centre, treat yourself to something nice in Ruby La La boutique, book a class at Ebb and Flow or, if you are free on a Wednesday afternoon, book yourself onto a guided tour of the Bishop’s Palace at Farnham Castle.
Around the borough: Godalming, Cranleigh and Haslemere all have excellent health, beauty and wellbeing offers in their town centres, as do many of their surrounding villages. For more inspiration, browse through our local business directory.
Get crafty
If you are looking for a way to channel your inner creativity, then head to Farnham. As England’s first World Craft Town, Farnham has no shortage of crafty things to do.
Book a taster Throwing Workshop with 318 Ceramics at Farnham Pottery for an introduction into the techniques required to throw a successful pot. If all goes well, you will end up with two finished pots as a souvenir of the experience!
Throwing pots can work up an appetite so once you’ve finished your workshop, head to the onsite café or call into a nearby hostelry for lunch.
Need to know: Book in advance as the workshops do sell out quickly. Over 18s only. Gift vouchers are available for the Throwing Workshops making it a perfect idea for a special and unusual gift.
Around the borough: Farnham Maltings is home to many craft makers and artists, many of which offer workshops so you can learn from the experts. Elsewhere, there are classes and workshops at Cranleigh Arts Centre, card making workshops and craft supplies at Arty Crafty in Godalming, and The Sculpture Park at Churt has hundreds of contemporary sculptures set among acres of arboretum and water gardens.
Craft beers + mates = cheers!
Surrey has a growing number of excellent craft breweries, distilleries and vineyards. Why not try a locally produced tipple next time you visit your local?
Visit Crafty Brewery. Nestled in the Surrey Hills, a short drive from Cranleigh, is Crafty Brewery with its recently opened Crafty Tap taproom. You can enjoy a pre-booked session with your mates to sample the brewery’s selection of craft ales, guest beers and ciders - plus non-alcoholic drinks, food and takeaway is available from the onsite shop.
To book a session or to find out more information head to The Crafty Tap, Dunsfold.
Trek with a llama
Trek the Surrey Hills with your very own llama and an experienced guide courtesy of The Merry Harriers Pub at Hambledon, near Godalming.
Llamas have a calming and therapeutic nature, making them perfect companions for a special day out with family or friends. Choose from an English Picnic Trek, autumn/winter morning trek, a children’s birthday trek or a bespoke experience. Work up an appetite for a hearty pub lunch or push the boat out and spend the night in one of the pub’s luxury shepherd huts.
Need to know: Trek lengths can be tailored to suit. Booking essential. Trekkers need to be over the age of eight.
Visit The Merry Harriers website for more information.
Wet weekday with toddlers
Keeping young children occupied in wet weather can be stressful. Jumping in muddy puddles sounds fun but often ends in wet socks and tears while a morning of crafting on the kitchen table is equally messy.
For days when you need a simple solution, soft play comes to the rescue. Haslemere’s Hen House is one of several local venues providing soft play and a café with great food. Let your pre-schooler burn some energy and have loads of fun while you enjoy a coffee and a cake.
Need to know: The Hen House is open daily, 14b Lower Street, Haslemere, GU27 2NX. Booking recommended.
Around the borough: Haslemere and Cranleigh leisure centres have soft play centres and cafes on site. Farnham Leisure Centre runs Active Play and Bounce sessions for under 5s, Monday to Saturday.
Get to know where you live
In Godalming, the town’s museum tells the story of local people from Anglo-Saxons through to Victorians and beyond. Continue the nostalgia with tea and cake in one of Godalming’s traditional English cafes like Thyme for Tea in historic Church Street.
Need to know: Godalming Museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is free but donations are welcomed.
Around the borough: Farnham and Haslemere also have museums. Explore Farnham and Haslemere on foot with a self-guided walking trail or climb to the top of Farnham Castle Keep for views over Farnham.
A night out how it used to be
While binge watching box sets has a certain charm, there’s nothing quite like the big screen or a live show.
Visit Haslemere Hall for theatre, the screening of current films and live performances of ballet and opera via satellite. Add a pre-event meal out at one of Haslemere’s great independent restaurants or pubs and rediscover the joy of a local night out.
Need to know: Haslemere Hall is on Bridge Road, Haslemere. Visit the Haslemere Hall website to receive emails about what’s on, special offers and invitations to special events.
Around the borough: Farnham Maltings, the Borough Hall in Godalming and Cranleigh Arts Centre host live performances, screen the latest releases and live music.
Challenge your teen
It’s not easy impressing teenagers but trying something new is a great leveller for all ages. In Dunsfold there is something rather special to challenge even the toughest teen, a junior driving experience in the confines of a race track and with expert tuition.
PSR in Dunsfold offer driving or supercar passenger experiences on the Top Gear race track that are suitable for those aged 10 and above. The venue is designed to be safe for juniors and every experience is tailored to suit each driver.
When the high speed thrills are over, relive the highlights over a light bite at the Sun Inn in Dunsfold or head to Cranleigh or Godalming for other options.
Around the borough: Introductory adventure holidays for youngsters and exhilarating birthday parties or family days out can be booked at the Marchants Hill PGL centre at Hindhead. Sayers Croft in Ewhurst offer Gold Duke of Edinburgh residential stays, as well as activity holidays for groups of children.
Weekend Walkies
If you have a dog, a daily walk might be compulsory but at the weekend, at least you can make a day of it.
Start off with a hearty breakfast at one of Cranleigh’s many dog-friendly cafes and then join the Downs Link, a former railway line that is now a walking route, a place for family cycling and a haven for wildlife. Take snacks and doggy treats to keep you going before heading back to Cranleigh for cake and a cuppa.
Need to know: See the Downs Link six stage route guide. The Downs Link stretches for 37 miles, so be sure to decide how far you want to go before setting off.
Around the borough: Visit Surrey provides information on tow paths, woodlands and other walking routes. For long distance walks, follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims by walking the North Downs Way, which starts in Farnham, St Swithun’s Way, which starts at Winchester and ends in Farnham, the Greensand Way, which runs from Haslemere to Kent, or walk a stretch of the South Downs Way starting at Haslemere Station.