Discover Surrey | A Visitor's Introduction to Surrey

Why is Surrey Worth a Visit?

Surrey is worth visiting for its natural beauty, heritage, and ease of access. It has the highest proportion of woodland in England, making it a paradise for walkers and cyclists. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers superb views, peaceful trails, and dramatic escarpments. You’ll also find elegant towns like Guildford and Farnham, pretty villages such as Shere and Chiddingfold, and some of the UK’s most beautiful gardens and historic properties.

For Londoners, it’s an easy day trip; for visitors from further afield, it’s a brilliant base for exploring both the South East and London itself. With world-class gardens, royal parks, and centuries-old stately homes, Surrey is as cultured as it is green.

Surrey Highlights: Things to See and Do in Surrey

Box Hill and the Surrey Hills AONB

Box Hill, near Dorking, is one of Surrey’s best-known beauty spots, offering stunning views across the North Downs. It’s perfect for walking, with trails ranging from gentle loops to longer treks like the Box Hill Hike (a challenging 8-mile circular route).

The wider Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty includes Leith Hill (the county’s highest point), the Devil’s Punch Bowl, and Newlands Corner. The area is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, and photographers alike.

RHS Garden Wisley

Wisley, the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society, is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in gardening or nature. It features expansive landscaped grounds, exotic glasshouses, rose gardens, rockeries, and a beautiful orchard. The Glasshouse is home to tropical and desert plants, and the shop and café are well worth a stop.

Seasonal events, plant shows, and family activities run throughout the year, making this a top spot in any season.

Guildford

The county town of Guildford is a lively and historic market town, centred around its cobbled High Street and dominated by the imposing Guildford Castle and Guildford Cathedral. The River Wey flows through the town, with towpaths offering tranquil walks and canal boat trips.

The Guildford House Gallery, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, and nearby Loseley Park (a Tudor manor house) add cultural and historical interest, while the town’s shops, pubs, and restaurants make it a great base for exploring Surrey.

Hampton Court Palace

While officially in Greater London, Hampton Court Palace is easily accessible from Surrey and historically linked to the county. This grand Tudor palace, once home to Henry VIII, is full of intrigue and architectural splendour. Wander through the Great Hall, Tudor kitchens, and Baroque apartments, then get lost in the famous Hampton Court Maze.

The palace gardens are extensive and beautifully maintained, with formal lawns, fountains, and the world’s oldest surviving hedge maze.

Polesden Lacey

Located near Great Bookham, Polesden Lacey is an Edwardian country house set in the rolling hills of the North Downs. Now a National Trust property, it was once a glittering social venue for royalty and the aristocracy. The house interiors are grand and elegant, while the gardens offer formal terraces, wildflower meadows, and scenic walks.

It’s a peaceful place with great views, and regular events such as garden tours and seasonal trails make it ideal for families and casual visitors alike.

Painshill Park

Painshill, in Cobham, is a beautifully restored 18th-century landscape garden that blends natural beauty with whimsical features like a Gothic temple, Chinese bridge, and a crystal grotto. Designed in the style of the Grand Tour, it offers a romantic and slightly surreal walk through artfully arranged vistas.

It’s an excellent place for a gentle afternoon stroll, and the café serves up local produce in a picturesque setting.

Denbies Wine Estate

Surrey is home to a growing number of English vineyards, and Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking is the largest in the UK. Surrounded by the rolling Surrey Hills, it offers vineyard tours, tastings, and events throughout the year.

You can enjoy a guided cellar tour, hop on the vineyard train, dine at the gallery restaurant with panoramic views, or simply sample award-winning sparkling wines and rosé in the shop.

Farnham

Farnham is a historic market town in west Surrey, with a strong arts and crafts tradition. Explore Farnham Castle, browse galleries and antique shops, and enjoy the riverside gardens. The town is also home to the Craft Study Centre and Farnham Pottery, reflecting its status as a leading creative hub.

It’s a lovely base for exploring nearby sites like Waverley Abbey or walking in Frensham Common.

Shere

Often voted one of the prettiest villages in England, Shere is a chocolate-box destination, complete with medieval cottages, a 12th-century church, tearooms, and a babbling stream running through the centre. It has been used as a filming location for movies such as The Holiday and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

It’s the perfect stop-off during a drive or hike through the Surrey Hills.

Brooklands Museum

Located in Weybridge, Brooklands is the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation. The museum is packed with vintage aircraft, racing cars, and even a retired Concorde you can board. The adjoining Mercedes-Benz World offers driving experiences and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages.

It’s one of Surrey’s top attractions for families and engineering fans.

Practical Advice for Visitors

Getting There

By Train: Surrey is well served by South Western Railway and Southern Railway, with fast connections from London Waterloo and London Victoria. Guildford, Woking, Dorking, Farnham, and Reigate are all easily reached by rail.

By Car: The M25, A3, and M3 provide good access to Surrey by road. The county is ideal for day trips or countryside drives from London and other parts of the South East.

By Bus: Local buses connect market towns and villages, although service frequency can vary in rural areas.

Parking

Most towns offer pay-and-display car parks, and countryside attractions typically have dedicated parking areas. Popular spots like Box Hill and Wisley can get busy on weekends, so aim to arrive early.

Park and ride is available at key locations like Guildford, which is handy for day visits.

Dining

Surrey has an impressive food scene, from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional pubs and gastropubs in country villages. Highlights include:

• The Clock House in Ripley – Michelin-starred fine dining

• The Anchor in Ripley – Excellent riverside gastropub

• Sorrel in Dorking – Modern, creative cuisine

• The Ivy Castle View in Guildford – Stylish dining with views of the castle

Farm shops, delis, and food festivals celebrate Surrey’s growing local produce scene, including artisanal cheeses, locally reared meats, craft ales, and English wines.

Shopping

Guildford is the main retail hub, with a mix of independent boutiques, high-street brands, and historic arcades. Farnham and Dorking offer antiques, galleries, and artisanal goods, while Bletchingley and Godalming are known for their vintage shops and quirky finds.

Local farmers’ markets—such as in Ripley, Walton-on-Thames, and Haslemere—offer fresh produce, home-baked goods, and handmade gifts.

When to Visit

Surrey is a year-round destination:

• Spring (March–May): Bluebell woods, blossom-filled walks, and the start of vineyard tours.

• Summer (June–August): Ideal for garden visits, outdoor dining, and countryside hikes.

• Autumn (September–November): Glorious foliage in the hills and woodland walks.

• Winter (December–February): Cosy pubs, Christmas markets, and quiet village explorations.

Local Events

• Surrey Hills Wood Fair (October) – Celebrating rural crafts and sustainability

• Guildford Summer Festival (June–August) – Art, food, and community events

• Denbies Wine & Food Festival (varies) – English wine tastings and local produce

• Hampton Court Garden Festival (July) – World-class garden design and florals

• Classic Car Shows at Brooklands (various dates) – Vintage motoring meets history

Exploring Beyond Surrey

From Surrey, it’s easy to venture into nearby regions:

• London – Just 30–60 minutes away by train

• The South Downs National Park – For more walking and scenic views

• Windsor – Home of the royal castle and riverside elegance

• Hampshire and Kent – Both accessible for day trips and further historic exploration

Surrey is a perfect blend of English refinement and rustic beauty. With its green hills, grand gardens, historic houses, and vibrant towns, it’s a county that invites exploration and rewards slow travel. Whether you’re walking the chalky ridges of Box Hill, sipping English wine among the vines, or soaking up the history of royal estates, Surrey offers a rich and peaceful escape—just a stone’s throw from the city.