A family walking in the gardens in spring at Polesden Lacey, Surrey — A family walking in the gardens at Polesden Lacey, Surrey | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Family-friendly places to visit in Surrey

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

Text reading Tthe Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail with a drawing of green caterpillar with a red face standing to the right, and the sun up in the sky to the left.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Hatchlands Park

Join us for one of nature’s greatest transformations as you become the world’s most famous caterpillar from Eric Carle’s best-selling book The Very Hungry Caterpillar™. Wiggle along the trail to spot juicy fruits and tasty snacks before emerging as a beautiful butterfly. Free with usual admission, 10 May to 6 July

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Children climbling on robe bridge with parent and sibling looking on

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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 family playing outside at Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey

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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.

A girl sits on a tree trunk writing in her notebook at Lyme Park, Cheshire

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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.

Throughout the school holidays there’s loads of new family fun laid on, with the National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, at Polesden Lacey, Hatchlands Park, Dapdune Wharf and Hindhead Commons. Jam-packed with playful experiences and drop-in activities, all set against the backdrop of the Trust’s historic houses and beautiful gardens. Let imaginations run wild.

A man and a child enjoying 'Summer of Play' activities at Polesden Lacey, Surrey

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Hatchlands Park

With plenty of open spaces to explore, a natural play area in Great Wix Wood and resident donkeys, there’s lots to discover at Hatchlands Park. For this year’s Summer of Play challenge friends and family to games and sports, choose your dressing up costume, put on a show on the outdoor stage, and enjoy creative and sensory play. Have fun scarecrow spotting - see how many you can find dotted around the parkland, 23 July – 3 Sept.

Family in the garden at Polesden Lacey Surrey, a young boy is pushing open a garden gate with his family following behind

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Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey has views across the rolling Surrey Hills, a garden filled with summer blooms and statue of a griffin who has inspired this year’s Summer of Play. Spend long summer days with Grizwald the Griffin: playing games and enjoying activities inspired by the work carried out by the fantastic rangers and gardeners who look after Polesden Lacey's outside spaces, 19 July to 3 Sept.

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

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Dapdune Wharf

This August, Dapdune Wharf will be buzzing with a wide array of sports and creative fun plus workshops run by Guildford Shakespeare Company, ArtVenturers and more. Pre-booking needed for some workshops. Swing into Summer of Play at Dapdune Wharf every day in August from 11am-5pm.

People walking at the Devil's Punch Bowl, Hindhead Common, Surrey

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Hindhead Commons

Join us for a summer of fun and games as Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl gets in the sporting spirit! The green near the viewpoint will have a variety of free sporty fun where you can challenge friends and family to games such as volleyball, football or bowls. 19 July - 7 Sept.

A family among the long grass in a meadow at Runnymede, Surrey

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Runnymede

Make and launch seed bombs into the meadow, go in search of wildflowers and butterflies with our spotter sheets and play meadow games.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ at Winkworth Arboretum

Join us for one of nature’s greatest transformations as you become the world’s most famous caterpillar from Eric Carle’s best-selling book The Very Hungry Caterpillar™, 16 July - 17 August at Winkworth Arboretum. Wiggle along the trail to spot juicy fruits and tasty snacks before emerging as a beautiful butterfly. All along winding paths and the refreshing shade of trees, perfect for hot summer days.

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Moomins, Claremont Landscape Garden

Claremont Landscape Garden invites you to take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley this summer, with a family trail in the garden meeting characters from the Moomin stories. 26 July to 31 August. Pick up a Moomin trail sheet and receive Moomin stickers when you find all the characters. Free trail with garden admission.