Monday 15th to Friday 19th February, 2021

Are you looking for things to do in Surrey with the family this half term?  Let us give you some ideas for some great family fun days out over half term in Surrey.

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Please check venues opening times and current guidelines before visiting.
Know before you go. Thank you.

1. Enjoy a grand tour
   At Visit Surrey, we are constantly surprised by how many people tell us they haven’t made the trip to Painshill yet. While it’s a hugely popular destination in our county, it still seems to have an element of the undiscovered for people who have reacted in awe to pictures on the internet but never visited. Make this your year to explore the 18th century landscape garden, which was created between 1738 and 1773, by the Hon Charles Hamilton. Hamilton was inspired by his two Grand Tours across Europe, and luckily for all of us his ideas came together with dramatic effect in Cobham.

2. Time travel
   While it may look like a natural wonder, Virginia Water Lake was first dammed and flooded back in 1753 under the Duke of Cumberland - it was the largest man-made lake of its time. Discover the ornamental Cascade waterfall, the 100-foot Totem Pole gifted by the people of Canada to The Queen in 1958, The Leptis Magna Ruins which arrived in 1818 from modern day Libya and more as you stroll around the expansive water feature (note: parking can get very busy, especially on warm weekends). Then, visit The Savill Garden next door which has been inspiring visitors since its creation in the 1930s.

3. Take the long path
   If you fancy a challenge that will get you outdoors, keep you fit and give you an opportunity to explore the breadth of Surrey, how about walking the North Downs Way? Don’t worry, you can easily split it into more manageable chunks – rather than tackling a Forest Gump-style marathon adventure. Along the way, you’ll find attractions such as Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, St Martha’s Hill, Silent Pool, Denbies Wine Estate, Gatton Park and Botley Hill Farmhouse. Do make sure to check ahead whether booking is required at any of your preferred stops.

4. Escape to an enchanting place
   The Sculpture Park near Farnham is hard to beat. Take yourself on a self-guided tour of the 800 or sculptures nestled in ten acres of arboretum and water gardens. Walk as far as you want to and at your own pace. 

5. Explore hidden history
   Only a 15 minutes’ walk outside of Dorking town centre past its antiques shops and hostelries, you’ll discover the Deepdene Trail – the “lost” estate of Regency designer Thomas Hope. Highlights of the free trail include the 19th century Hope Mausoleum, the magnificent grotto and romantic tower, and you can follow it all the way to Betchworth Castle and Brockham village.

6. Step back in time
   Explore the magnificent Thames-side gardens, including 60 acres of spectacular formal gardens, at the historic Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey. The interiors of Henry VIII's favourite palace are open to visitors too. 

7. Waterside wanders
   This probably sounds ridiculous to anyone lucky enough to live near the Thames, the Mole or the Wey, but there’s another world to be found by the riverbanks if you’ve never taken the time. Networks of waterways, towpaths and meandering walks criss-cross our county and quickly whisk you off into a more secret Surrey with boundless nature, historic mills and boating. You’ll also find a number of proactive water sports companies sharing some of Surrey’s most idyllic lakes, reservoirs and beauty spots. We may be a landlocked county, but that Wind in the Willows lifestyle is fortunately never too far away.   

Enjoy your half term in Surrey!