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A family enjoying the view at Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey
A family enjoying the view at Claremont Landscape Garden | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Family-friendly places to visit in Surrey

Discover the best places to visit with your family around Surrey this autumn, including Polesden Lacey, Hatchlands Park, Claremont Landscape Garden, Winkworth Arboretum and more. Find the best autumn family trails, natural play areas, Halloween activities and café stops, to make the most of the season.

Autumn activities in Surrey

We're Going on a Bear Hunt at Polesden Lacey 

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is at Polesden Lacey this autumn. Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through the new sensory trail to find the bear. 6 September to 9 November.

An illustration from the popular We’re Going on a Bear Hunt book showing a family walking and skipping through a field of grass and wildflowers

We're Going on a Ghost Hunt™ at Claremont Landscape Garden 

4 Oct to 2 Nov. We’re going on a ghost hunt. Come and join the fun! Can we find them all? Yes! Run, run, run! Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the bunnies are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Claremont Landscape Garden with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way.

Illustration of four bunnies running in front of a setting moon for the We're Going on a Ghost Hunt ™ family Haloween trail this October half term

The Squirrels Who Squabbled at Winkworth Arboretum 

This autumn at Winkworth Arboretum, join two greedy squirrels on a fun-filled family trail as they learn to share, in this rhyming adventure through the trees. Winkworth Arboretum is famed for its beautiful autumn colour. 6 September to 2 November

A graphic of two squirrels standing between two trees looking grumpilly at each other with a single acorn between their feet.

Hatchlands Park 

Pick up a family map and explore the open parkland and ancient woodland at Hatchlands Park. Visit the natural play area with its bug burrow, tree house and balance beams, and don't forget to say hello to our resident donkeys.

Family exploring a tree hollow at Hatchlands Park, Surrey

Dapdune Wharf 

Try out the new natural play area at Dapdune Wharf. Borrow a Wey Explorer backpack from Visitor Reception and see if you can identify the wildlife making a home at the Wharf.

Children playing on a boat at River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf, Surrey

Halloween in Surrey

We're Going on a Ghost Hunt™ at Claremont Landscape Garden 

4 Oct to 2 Nov. We’re going on a ghost hunt. Come and join the fun! Can we find them all? Yes! Run, run, run! Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the bunnies are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Claremont Landscape Garden with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way.

Illustration of four bunnies running in front of a setting moon for the We're Going on a Ghost Hunt ™ family Haloween trail this October half term

Half term Halloween at Hatchlands Park 

25 Oct - 2 Nov. Join us for some Halloween fun with a pumpkin hunt in the garden for the little ones and look out for the spooky creatures on our parkland trail. We've even got some broomsticks to help you on your way! And from 26 - 31 Oct, 12-4pm, pop into the house for some spooky surprises. Look for familiars hiding in the Drawing Room, follow the scent of woodsmoke to the witches’ cauldron or join the puppets' tea party in the library… if you dare!

Halloween pumpkins carved with scary faces at Claydon, Buckinghamshire.

Halloween open air cinema at Polesden Lacey 

Get in the mood for Halloween at Polesden Lacey's weekend of spooky outdoor screenings from Adventure Cinema. Choose from Scream (18) on Friday 10 October; Hocus Pocus (PG) on Saturday 11 October and The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) on Sunday 12 October. Booking essential via Adventure Cinema's website. Fancy dress optional but warmly encouraged!

A crowd sit watching outdoor cinema at an event.

Looking ahead to Christmas in Surrey

Alice's Christmas in Wonderland at Polesden Lacey 

22 Nov – 4 Jan. Lewis Carroll's timeless tale, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, comes to Polesden Lacey this Christmas, as the house and grounds turn into a festive Wonderland. Follow the White Rabbit inside the house to see ground-floor rooms beautifully dressed for Christmas. Enjoy lavish displays based on scenes from the book, with Christmas decorations and twinkling trees at every turn. Outside, follow the children's trail around the grounds to win a prize and enjoy a range of seasonal activities, amusements and treats.

A mother and father and their young daughter admire a Christmas tree at Polesden Lacey

Discover The Snowdogs at Hatchlands Park 

15 Nov - 6 Jan. Discover The Snowdogs at Hatchlands Park this winter. Inspired by the animated sequel to Raymond Briggs’ timeless picture book The Snowman™, take a festive sculpture trail through the parkland to find Wild in Art’s ten uniquely decorated sculptures of The Snowdog and enjoy festive family activities along the way. Throughout December, 12-3pm, visit the house for a traditional country house Christmas.

A drawing of the Snowdog with coloured socks as ears and surrounded by fairy lights, with pencil drawn snow coloured pine trees in the background and the words: Snowdogs Discover at Hatchlands Park

A Nutcracker Christmas at Winkworth Arboretum 

29 Nov - 4 to 5 Jan. Enjoy a Nutcracker-themed walking trail this Christmas Discover the magic of the Nutcracker at Winkworth Arboretum, Arboretum. Follow Clara’s footsteps through the winter woodlands, uncovering storybook scenes and meeting life-sized nutcracker sculptures. Enjoy festive games along the trail, then warm up with life size sculptures, games and activities seasonal treats from the tearoom. Don’t miss the vintage carousel for families and a vintage carousel. the perfect festive day out.

A promotional image for The Nutcracker at Winkworth Arboretum comprising a decorated Christmas tree, an old-fashioned clock, large nutcracker figure, a mouse and a ballerina featured in a snowy, stary night scene.

A Very Penguin Christmas at Claremont Landscape Garden 

22 Nov – 4 Jan. Waddle into Claremont this festive season for A Very Penguin Christmas. A group of adventurous penguins have travelled all the way from the South Pole to the North Pole (aka Claremont) in search of Father Christmas. Join Captain Iceberg, Professor Snowflake and friends as they explore the Garden with fun games and activities in this delightful family trail.

A graphic illustration of a snowcovered landscape with conifer trees and four illustrations of penguin characters. There is text at the top that says 'A Very Penguin Christmas' with the dates Sat 22 Nov to Sun 4 Jan.

Places to play in Surrey

Polesden Lacey's play area 

Kestrel Corner is a natural play area made using wood from the Polesden Lacey estate. Enjoy the swings, tunnels and giant nests as you embrace your inner animal and get closer to nature.

A child playing on a rope at the 'Kestrel Corner' play area at Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Claremont Landscape Garden 

Queen Victoria used to play at Claremont as a child and now so can you. The play area has scaled-down versions of Claremont’s garden features - explore the pavilion, glide down the slide and scale the ladders and climbing wall. Badger’s Basecamp is a hidden woodland area that’s perfect for older children to explore, with tunnels and hidden holes to discover and crawl through.

Boy climbing a large tree stump in Badgers Basecamp at Claremont Landscape Garden

Hatchlands Park 

The parkland at Hatchlands is perfect for family walks. Visit the natural adventure area in Great Wix Wood and get to grips with the balance beams, tree house and bug burrow. Plus the Kitchen cafe is the perfect stop off for hot chocolate and cake.

Two young children climbing on a fallen tree in the parkland during summer

Winkworth Arboretum 

The Tree Adventure is a wonderful wooden structure at Winkworth Arboretum. It takes its inspiration from the natural environment, fitting into the woodland in an organic way. Come and have a clamber and stop for a hot chocolate at the cafe.

A blurred image of a young girl with one leg raised having kicked through leaves.

Box Hill 

Enjoy the Natural Play Trail: a two-mile level walk with a chance to play in the woods, with lots of trees and structures to climb on.

Tadworth, Surrey

Fully open today
A family playing outside at Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey

Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl 

Along the Hindhead trail you and the kids can try birdwatching, catching falling leaves, den building, bug hunting, climbing a big hill and creating some impressive wild art. Then warm up with a hot chocolate in the cafe after your walk.

Hindhead, Surrey

Partially open today
A girl sits on a tree trunk writing in her notebook at Lyme Park, Cheshire
A group of visitors walking along a path between trees at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Discover more in Surrey

The home of an Edwardian party house, the Surrey Hills and a classic landscape garden.

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