YES FAM! THE BEST DAYS OUT IN SURREY THIS SUMMER
A week or so in, and still waiting for summer holiday fun to begin? Get some inspiration for next four weeks in Surrey with this guide to the best family days out.
NATURE HEROES: GLOBE TROTTER / JULY 21 – SEPTEMBER 5 / WAKEHURST, ARDINGLY
Head for Wakehurst and set off on your own Nature Heroes mission across the globe, from Asia to Australia, South America to the Caribbean and beyond – you’ll be walking the world, all without leaving the gardens! Along the way, step into the shoes of real-life scientists who are working to bank the world’s wild seeds, have a go yourself with Wakehurst’s new hands-on interactive in the Millenium Seed Bank and complete your adventure and earn your Globe Trotter badge to add to your Nature Heroes cape. Are you ready for the challenge?
For more information, visit kew.org/wakehurst
THE PETER RABBIT ADVENTURE / JULY 25 – SEPTEMBER 1 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Hop, skip and jump into a magical garden trail at Hampton Court Palace this summer, where Peter Rabbit™ and friends are waiting to be discovered! Follow Peter through the some of the beautiful palace gardens, solving puzzles, discovering beloved Beatrix Potter characters and uncovering the wonders of nature.
For more information, visit hrp.org.uk
MOOMINS / JULY 26 – AUGUST 31 / CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDENS, ESHER
Visit Claremont this summer and take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley this spring, with a family trail around the garden, meeting characters from the Moomin stories. Delve into discovering the Moomin family and their friends, living an adventurous life in the idyllic and peaceful Moominvalley in harmony with nature.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscape-garden
SEA OF SUNFLOWERS / JULY 27 – SEPTEMBER 3 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Get ready to witness a sea of sunflowers in bloom this summer as you wander into West Horsley Place. With a firm belief that spending time in nature is good for all of us, everybody is welcome free of charge.
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
COWDRAY’S MAIZE MAZE / AUGUST 1 – 31 / COWDRAY’S MAIZE MAZE, EASEBOURNE
Saddle-up cowboys and cowgirls and head for the wild west of Surrey and into West Sussex for the return of Cowdray’s Maize Maze. Set against the backdrop of the Lawns Polo fields and Cowdray Ruins, expect a fantastic day out for the whole family. Complete a stamp trail, and enjoy a sunflower and wildflower picking patch, perfect for bringing a bouquet back home with you.
For more information, visit cowdray.co.uk
LOXWOOD JOUST / AUGUST 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 + 17 / LOXWOOD MEADOW
This summer, Loxwood Joust returns, bigger and bolder than ever! Step into a kingdom alive with roaring jousts, thrilling quests, and the pulse of live music. Wander shaded woods whispering secrets, cheer knights battling for glory, and feast on sizzling hog roast under open skies. Falcons soar overhead, adding wild majesty to every moment. Step into the story. Your adventure begins here.
For more information, visit loxwoodjoust.co.uk
OUTDOOR THEATRE: ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS / AUGUST 3 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
With love music and the full array of Carroll’s fantastical characters, this lively new version follows Alice’s adventures in the looking glass world she enters through the mirror above her drawing room fireplace. . .
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
SUMMER FAIR / AUGUST 3 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM, TILFORD
It is officially the Summer Holidays! Head to Rural Life Living Museum for a range of family activities. Take a ride on the train or, if you prefer, a fire engine! There might even be a bus ride. Explore all of the exhibits and chat with the museum volunteers who maintain the objects around the site. Learn the stories behind Deek’s Cycle Shop, the School Room or the Dennis Collection and more. You can even watch disappearing crafts demonstrations.*don’t forget Activity Thursday event week for arts, crafts, fun and games, and activities.
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
FIND IT, PLAY IT / AUGUST 4 + 18 / FARNHAM MATLINGS
Discover the music hidden in everyday objects! In this fun, hands-on session, you will turn found and repurposed items into unique sound-making instruments. From rubber bands to bouncing balls, explore, modify, and experiment with sound before creating a playful group performance
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE – SCIENCE SAVED THE WORLD / AUGUST 5 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
100% Educational. 200% Entertaining. 300% Explosive. 400% Fun. Join the Ministry of Science presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre
FREE SUMMER FAMILY FUN DAY! / AUGUST 8 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Join the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre this summer for a day of FREE craft activities, dressing up, a theatrical scavenger hunt, Lego, a play area for preschoolers, and face painting. With cooling refreshments available from the Riverbank Kitchen – this is one oasis of fun you won’t want to miss!
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
MERRIST WOOD FARM OPEN MORNING / AUGUST 10 / MERRIST WOOD, WORPLESDON
Spend the morning at Merrist Wood for an open morning on the farm. Come and meet all the wonderful farm animals – piglets, goat kids, sheep and lambs, Darcey the donkey, cheerful chickens, happy ducks and, of course, a turkey! If you love a morning walk with your children or family, this is a great opportunity to come along and say hello to the alpacas, llamas and rheas. You will be able to get up close and pet the animals, animal feed will be available at an extra charge. This is a great opportunity to take lots of pictures of your time on the farm.
For more information, visit merristwoodevents.co.uk
NOT-SO-SCARY MONSTERS! / AUGUST 13 / FARNHAM MATLINGS
Head for Farnham Maltings for a family workshop where everyone takes part! Children can prepare a friendly monster design at home, which will be carved in linoleum by their parent during the session. During this workshop, the parent learns the linocut carving technique, while the child creates safe, creative designs for us to print together. Additionally, the child can choose from a variety of templates featuring imaginary monsters and well-known ones from animated stories. All materials provided. Please bring an apron and dress for mess!
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
REWILD YOUR CHILD / AUGUST 14 / KNEPP, DIAL POST
Ideal for the wild child aged 3 – 6, this summer, let Zoologist Ryan Greaves unleash your child’s wild side with fun, hands-on activities and creative challenges in Knepp’s beautiful ancient woodland, helping your little ones build confidence in nature. The 2-hour session will teach young Wildlings to use tools for bush crafts, build and light a fire, search for signs of wildlife and channel their inner beavers to build mini-dams. They’ll make homes for different creatures and discuss ways to bring rewilding to their own outdoor space or school yard.
For more information, visit knepp.co.uk
FAMILY FUN DAY SUMMER MARKET / AUGUST 17 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
The Curated by Dapper & Suave Family Fun Day & Summer Market returns to the stunning Denbies Wine Estate this August. Discover, delight, and browse a specially curated lineup of independent businesses featuring an exciting mix of artwork, fashion, beauty & skincare, candles, jewellery, food and drink, and home and gift items—all carefully selected for their originality and craftsmanship. Expect family-friendly activities, including arts, crafts, drawing, making, perfect for all ages! A day of shopping, creativity, and family fun awaits – don’t miss out!
For more information, visit dapperandsuave.uk
THE SINGING MERMAID / AUGUST 20 – 24 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
The singing mermaid is tempted away to join a travelling circus, with the promise of a life of excitement – and her own swimming pool! The audiences love her singing but she soon finds out she’s been tricked by the dastardly circus master. Will she ever escape? With three amazing performers, enchanting puppets and music and songs by Barb Jungr (We’re Going On A Bear Hunt), this show is a perfect treat for all the family.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
SPLAT! / AUGUST 22 – 23 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
A physical comedy about art and creativity for ages 3-6… Set in an artists studio the show follows two aspiring artists one dedicated and serious the other erratic and messy. Exploring themes of collaboration, play, dedication, spontaneity and letting go. The show features no language and is accessible for deaf audiences.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
SPOT’S BIRTHDAY PARTY / AUGUST 22 – 25 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
Based on the beloved Eric Hill classic Happy Birthday Spot, this brand-new adaptation is the perfect introduction to theatre for children. With integrated Makaton, catchy songs, dancing and lots of interactive party games, this is going to be the best birthday party ever!
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE! / AUGUST 27 – 28 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day! You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
