School’s out for summer! I love the school holidays – I get my children back and we get to go to some really fun places! Surrey is a beautiful county and it’s such a joy to be out of doors. Here are some of the places we like to go.
Newlands Corner in the Albury Downs is a lovely place for a family walk. Located just off the A25 about three miles from Guildford, this is a great spot for running around, having a picnic, tree climbing and kite flying! There’s also a cafe with outdoor seating as well as a small playground, toilets and lots of parking. Parking and entrance are all FREE!
Leith Hill is the highest point in the Surrey Hills, marked with a fairytale tower owned by the National Trust. On your ascent to the stunning views, you’ll find a den building area to try out your Bear Grylls techniques (!) as well as some lovely fallen-down trees to scramble on. Leith Hill is located near Coldharbour and is well signposted from Wootton on the A25. Parking and entrance are FREE but there’s a small charge to enter the tower.
Alice Holt is just outside Farnham. This Forestry Commission research area offers well-maintained woodland and some fabulous self-guided walks and bike rides take you to all sorts of imaginative play areas. It is also a venue for treetop adventures Go Ape and Go Ape Junior – swing around on ropes, logs and zip wires ten feet up! Entrance to Alice Holt is free but there are parking charges from £1.50 per hour and charges for Go Ape.
If Alice Holt’s a bit far, there’s another outdoor treetop adventure to be had at Wild Wood in Stoke Park. This new attraction has only been open since May but features a range of exciting challenges to test your skill, balance and nerve! For full details, booking and prices, please visit the website here.
Also at Stoke Park is the paddling pool, a free watery treat on a hot day! Park at Guildford College and find the path through the hedge to take you to the pool and its neighbouring playground. The pool and playground don’t have much shade so take your hats! However, there are some big trees nearby for sitting under with sandwiches and (inevitably!) loom bands when everyone’s tired out. Parking, paddling pool and playground are all free and there are even toilets. Perfect.
Near to the paddling pool is the Guildford Lido, the town’s stunning 1930s outdoor pool, which is open from May to September every year. Flumes and waterslides will keep you all shrieking with joy and family and season tickets are available so you can save money too!
If your children are animal lovers, Wendy at the Holistic Horse and Pony Centre at Ockham is hosting a number of Pony Days during the summer holidays. Visit her page here to get in touch and book your little riders in!
As well as all of these venues, there are always playgrounds, big climbable trees, National Trust gardens, RHS Wisley and local parks to keep you and your kids having fun in the sun all summer long! If you’ve got any ideas for outdoor activities you’d like to share, feel free to add them in the comments.
