From natural wonders at Birdworld near Farnham to aviation innovation and history at Brooklands Museum near Weybridge, the sixth Surrey Day celebrated the theme of Surrey from the Sky on Saturday.
This annual community event, which aims to bring our towns, villages and attractions together in recognition of this fantastic place to live, visit and work, is a partnership between Surrey’s official tourist board, Visit Surrey, BBC Radio Surrey and the Surrey Lieutenancy.
Shining a light on Surrey
Following an unexpected but magical showing of the Northern Lights in the early hours, Surrey residents headed for the Surrey Hills for a bird’s eye view; attractions held special events, local food and drink tastings and special entry offers; and local dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff of Surrey, visited towns and villages across the county.
“We’re absolutely delighted with Surrey Day 2024; the sun shone, more people than ever got involved and I smiled so much my face hurt by the end of the day. This is a wonderful collaboration between so many people and it makes me proud to live in this wonderful county,” says Chris Howard, chair of Visit Surrey.
Discovering inspiring people and places
BBC Radio Surrey broadcast from Birdworld near Farnham, Fairoaks Airport in Chobham and, finally, Brooklands Museum near Weybridge, with music from many local artists and bands showcased throughout the day.
“Surrey Day always delivers plenty of inspiring and uplifting moments," says the events co-founder, Mark Carter, deputy managing editor of BBC Radio in the South and South East, who hosted the Brooklands Museum section of the day.
Surrey from the sky
In the evening, BBC Radio Surrey broadcast a special show hosted by Emily Jeffery, which was created by Visit Surrey’s Chris Howard. They recorded at a host of locations exploring many links with the sky above our county. This Surrey Day podcast also includes artists, bugs, bees, birds, bats, helicopters, gliders, air cadets, satellites and space exploration - and you can listen to it at your leisure on BBC Sounds.
Following in the footsteps of previous Surrey Day ambassadors, including Dame Penelope Keith, Sir Brian May and Eamonn Holmes, actor and adventurer Brian Blessed lent his famously booming voice to the occasion too.
A massive thank you to all
From all of us at Visit Surrey, we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who got involved in Surrey Day 2024 and made it such a success - from the attractions that hosted events or broadcasts to the residents who so enthusiastically embraced this celebration of our county.
Here’s to Surrey Day 2025, we can’t wait to celebrate with you all again. The date for your diaries is Saturday May 10, 2025.
