Tilfords Woods Lodge Retreat is a family favourite, so we’ve put together a special list of things to do in Surrey. Our etreat is surrounded by beautiful scenery, only a short walk from one of the best places to eat in the area, The Duke of Wellington Bar & Restaurant, as well as being only a 50 minute train journey from London city center. But what if you didn’t want to enter the hustle and bustle of the big city, and still wanted family friendly things to do with your little ones?
Well here at HQ we’ve come up with 9 things to do with the kids in Surrey that is fun for everyone! Each place has the opening times, prices, postcode and length of time to drive from our retreat, so you can plan your holiday before you get to us!
It’s a bit of long one, so settle in with a cuppa and read our top 9 things to do with the kids in Surrey…
1. hampton court palace
Opening Times: 10am – 6pm
Prices: Adult £18.40. Child £9.20
Postcode: KT8 9AU (50 minutes away)
Wander the corridors of royal power and pleasure of the Hampton Court Palace. A full programme of activities, from Tudor jousting to exploring 300 year old chocolate kitchens! Visit the Magic Garden and let the adventure begin, a place where the little ones will come face to face with mythical beats, help to storm the battlements and explore the secret grotto, a brand new and unique way to explore the past. Venture into the world famous maze, designed by George London and Henry Wise and was commissioned in 1700, take a leisurely stroll but try not to get lost!
2. thorpe park
Opening Times: 10 am – 6 pm off peak. Until 10 pm during Summer holidays.
Prices: (vary, based on online prices) 1 day ticket £29.99, Day ticket + fast track £36.99. Annual pass £119
Postcode: KT16 8PN (45 minutes away)
Endless family fun at this hugely popular theme park, with two categories of rides to choose from, the family friendly rides and the thrill rides for those extra adventurous folks! There are over 30 rides, attractions and live events, with 5 of the UK’s top roller coasters at the theme park, along with Darren Brown’s brand new Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon ride now open, for those who dare! There is also the fun Angry Birds 4D Experience, among other family fun things to do for the kids too!
3. birdworld
Opening Times: 10am – 6pm (BST) and 10am – 4.30pm (GMT) (last admissions are an hour before closing)
Prices: (vary, based on peak times) Adult £18.95, Child 3-15 £14.95
Postcode: GU10 4LD (15 minutes away)
Birdworld is one of the most popular things to do with the kids in Surrey, a place where you can have the ultimate family fun. Visit the penguins at feeding time, help to feed the birds and learn all about their colourful characters. Don’t miss the stunning Flamingo Cove & Seashore Walk, as well as the fabulous Park Pet Shop, were you can cuddle and purchase your very own fluffy bundle of joy! Also don’t miss the exciting Owl Parliament, in honour of the brilliant fantasy author, this satellite exhibit aims to educate and raise awareness of these stunning and wise animals!
4. watts gallery & artists village
Opening Times: 9 am – 5 pm weekdays, 10 am – 5 pm weekends
Prices: Adult £9.50, Student £4.75, Under 16’s go free
Postcode: GU3 1DQ (20 minutes away)
There is something for all ages at Watt’s Gallery & Artists Village, with a full programme of workshops to join in on, creating crafts and learning new skills, while having lots of fun! You can explore the beautiful Artists Village with one of the family trail packs, including the brand new Activity Backpack, which is full of quizzes, activities, games and multi-sensory objects to explore. There is also the Family Explorer Trail, where you discover the entire Artists Village and the collection through drawing activities and challenges. Discover the history behind the centre and view some beautiful art at the Watts Gallery.
5. hatchlands park
Opening Times: 10 am – 5 pm (House opens at 2 pm)
Prices: Adult £11, Child £5.50, Family £27.50 (whole property prices)
Postcode: GU4 7RT (40 minutes away)
Over 400 acres of beautiful parkland is open all year round at the Hatchlands Park. You can find the perfect picnic spot while exploring the magical tree-lined paths and plenty of picnic benches if you don’t fancy sitting on the grass. Visit the children’s adventure area, a place to let them run free and climb the frames! Discover the Parterre Garden, a peaceful spot where you can soak up the surrounding beauty in a place bursting with colour. This stunning suntrap is home to water features, palm tree and benches for you to sit back and take in the tranquillity, while watching the little ones explore the flower beds. Dogs are welcome in the walking paths, and wider gardens, but not in the Hatchlands House. The Georgian house was built in 1756, and you can explore all 6 of the beautifully restored rooms, and if you’re lucky you can even discover the hidden spaces beneath the house.
6. british wildlife centre
Opening Times: 10 am – 5pm (during school holidays)
Prices: Adult £11.50, Child £8.50, Family £37
Postcode: RH7 6LF (1 hour away)
Spend a day visiting the British Wildlife Centre and learn thing about the wildlife on your doorstep. There are over 40 animals on display at the wildlife centre, including little owls, otters, foxes, snowy owls and many more. There are fantastic keeper talks every half an hour, so you and your little ones can learn more about the animals in your back garden at home! Visit the wildlife themed activity area, Pip’s Childrens Corner, where the little ones can run wild and take part in activities such as building a heron’s nest, explore an underground badger sett and slide down the otter bank, among many other activities! You and your family can enjoy a full day at the wildlife centre, take your own picnic and relax at the picnic areas, or grab a hot drink and warm meal at the onsite coffee shop, before off exploring some more of our wonderful wildlife!
7. godstone farm
Opening Times: 10 am – 5 pm everyday
Prices: Adult & Child £8.90, Child (1 year old) £3.40 (based on peak times)
Postcode: RH9 8LX (55 minutes away)
Perfect for a family fun day out in Surrey! Visit a variety of animals, the farmyard section offers pigs, cows, sheep and goats to cuddle! Meet the ponies and horses grazing in the fields, along with an array of colourful birds living all around the farm to see on your stroll. Cuddle the fluffy and furry bunnies, guinea pigs, degus and even cute chinchillas, as well as visiting the very friendly llamas and alpacas! At the top of the farm you can find one of the biggest adventure playgrounds you have ever seen, full of sandpits, slides, climbing walls and even a zip lines! If the weather starts to take a turn for the worse, never fear, head straight for the indoor Playbarn, a wonderful soft play area for all ages! Godstone Farm is truly one of the best things to do with the kids in Surrey no matter the weather.
8. tulley’s farm: maze fun park
Opening Times: seasonal, 22nd July – 3rd September
Prices: Adult £9, Child £10, Family £32
Postcode: RH10 4PE (1 hour away)
Tulley’s Farm is an events venue known for its spectacular seasonal events every year, especially their live-scare Halloween events. During the summer holidays take your little ones to the Summer Maize Fun Park, with over 25 attractions there will be something to entertain all ages! The attractions include logic puzzles, giant games, illusions and a giant adventure play area with trampolines, tractor rides, Frisbee golf and much more! The maize maze is created from 8 acres of corn and is one of the best ways to have a leisurely walk in the summer sun. During the summer nights you can experience the maze in a while new way with the Torchlight Maze Nights, a truly enlightening experience, where you can create your own light show!
9. waverley abbey
Opening Times: Accessible during day light hours
Prices: Free
Postcode: GU9 0JA (10 minutes away)
Waverley Abbey is located in a peaceful loop of the River Wey, and still shows the impression of solitude experienced by the monks who founded the Abbey 900 years ago. The Waverley Abbey ruins are a fantastic day out for the family, a nature walk to the ruins mean you can soak up as much of the summer sun as possible. A unique way for the children to learn about the history of Surrey, they can marvel at the 13th Century vaulted dining hall, and visit the ruins of the monks sleeping quarters. Take a picnic with you for a peaceful day out at the ruins, where you can sit back and relax to the beautiful River Wey.
Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat is a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The ideal place to base yourself if you’re a nature-loving family, where you can venture into the local area on foot, or explore further to the family friendly things to do in Surrey. Book your holiday now and start planning your family holiday to Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat!
Have a Fabulous Family Holiday!