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 spring, including Polesden Lacey, Hatchlands Park, Claremont Landscape Garden, Winkworth Arboretum and more. Find the best family trails for May half term, natural play areas and café stops, to make the most of spring.

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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

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Polesden Lacey

Follow the family trail in the grounds at Polesden Lacey this May half term and help Grizwald the Griffin find a home. Buy your tickets from visitor reception (£2 per trail) and collect your trail sheet from the welcome area. No need to book, 24 May to 8 June.

An illustrated scene with a girl in a blue dress standing in the middle of a garden. The garden is lush with various flowers, and two large trees framing the scene on either side. There are also butterflies and a bird perched on one of the bushes. The title "The Secret Garden" is written in elegant yellow script at the top center of the image. A golden key lies on the grass near some flowers to the right of the girl.

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Claremont Landscape Garden

Discover the secret oasis of Claremont Landscape Garden this May half term and join us for some quality family time filled with wonderment and delight. Try our golden key trail, wander in the menagerie, get stuck into some sensory play and stir your imaginations in the wonder woods. Free with usual admission, 24 May to 1 June.

Children in the natural play area at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey: one walks across a bridge made of rope netting, while others watch from both sides

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Winkworth Arboretum

Discover the secrets of fairies and dragons at Winkworth Arboretum. This May half term follow the trail to find eight fun-filled games. Travel through the castle entrance to find your map, defeat the green dragon with a bean bag toss and find all the purple fairies' magical items. Free trail with usual admission, 17 May to 1 June.

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

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Dapdune Wharf

Take part in 1940s themed activities at Dapdune Wharf with bunting, spinners, pick-up sticks and the Charleston. Follow spotter trails on the towpath and a simple bike course on Dapdune Island.

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 (24 May to 1 June). On bank holiday Monday, meet the rangers and their tractor.

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.

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.

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.

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.