Bordering London, and less than half a way from the centre of the capital city, is the county of Surrey. Home to stunning scenery, award-winning vineyards, charming towns and quaint villages, Surrey is an ideal destination for a weekend away, whether that’s with your partner, your family or your friends.
Surrey is England's most wooded county, and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers a quarter of the county, so it’s a great destination for a weekend spent largely outdoors. What’s more, it’s well-serviced by South Western Railway, so you can get around easily as you explore this magnificent part of the country. Read on for suggestions of fun things to do in Surrey to while away a weekend.
Day 1: Your first day in Surrey
Visit RHS Wisley
Catch a train to RHS Wisley and get your weekend off to a blooming great start. This is the most visited paid entry garden in England after the Royal Botanic Gardens, and it’s no surprise that it’s so popular given that it’s home to one of the world’s largest plant collections. Wander in awe past rare and exotic plants, under towering trees and through themed gardens as you soak in the fresh Surrey air. That’s what we call bliss.
Stop for lunch at The Anchor
After a busy morning stretching your legs and smelling the sweet scent of all those flowers at RHS Wisley, head around the corner and enjoy a lunchtime feast at The Anchor. This hidden gem is one of our favourite pubs in Surrey. It sits on the banks of the Wey Navigation, with a beautiful riverside terrace where you can soak up the sunshine in the summer months. In winter, cosy up in the oak-beamed conservatory in front of the roaring fire. Choose from a selection of traditional pub grub while admiring the serene views.
Spend the afternoon at Brooklands Museum
If you’re a fan of planes and cars, then hop on the train to Weybridge and spend the afternoon at Brooklands Museum. Not only is this the site of the world’s first ever racetrack, but it’s also the home of the largest Concorde exhibit in the UK. Hear the stories of the pioneering men and women that shaped the world of motoring and aviation, climb aboard the world-famous Concorde and go behind the scenes to discover how the team at McLaren designed and developed the McLaren Senna GTR. The whole family is bound to be blown away!
Have dinner at Positano
After a day of exploring, you’re sure to have worked up quite an appetite. Take the train to Guildford (via Woking) and indulge in traditional Italian food in the warm and welcoming Positano – one of the best restaurants in Surrey. Get comfy in the sumptuous seating and enjoy low-lit surroundings as you choose from all your favourite pastas, risottos, pizzas and more, all washed down with some fine Italian wine.
End your day with some after-dinner bowling
If you aren’t ready for the night to end quite yet, head down to the Guildford Spectrum for a game of ten-pin bowling. Get your competitive shoes on, order a drink from the bar and see how many strikes you can get before you retire for the night.
Day 2: Your second day in Surrey
Start with coffee at Krema
There’s no better way to start the day than with a cup of delicious coffee, so make your way to Krema to get your caffeine fix. Krema is an independently run coffee house in Guildford, specialising in espresso-based coffees as well as V60. If coffee isn’t your thing, fear not, as they also offer a range of loose-Leaf teas, smoothies and milkshakes. Feeling peckish? Their brioche bacon roll and avocado on toast are firm favourites, and there are plenty of pastries and cakes to choose from too.
Explore Guildford Castle
It’s time to learn a bit about Surrey’s history with a trip to Guildford’s Norman castle. It was thought to be built by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman invasion in 1066. Since then it’s been used as a Royal Palace, a prison and a private residence. Explore the grounds, wander through the gardens with their vibrant floral displays, and climb to the top of the Great Tower for stunning views across historic Guildford and beyond. In summer you may even be lucky enough to catch a concert in the bandstand.
Spend the afternoon at Denbies Wine Estate
Credit: Denbies
After all your cultural exploration, you deserve some time to relax. Catch the train from Guildford to Dorking and make your way to Denbies Wine Estate to explore the famous vineyard – the largest single estate vineyard in England. It really is something special – the acres and acres of vineyard wouldn’t look out of place in France! Book you and your group on to an indoor or outdoor wine tasting tour and sample their internationally award-winning wines – you’ll be (a very merry) expert in no time. This is without a doubt one of the most romantic things to do in Surrey, so make this a priority if you’re planning a couple’s weekend getaway.
Dinner at Arto
Time to soak up some of that wine! In the middle of the charming market town of Dorking you’ll find Arto, a casual and friendly eatery where you can tuck into simple, well-cooked and beautifully presented Mediterranean food such as grilled sardines, moussaka and aubergine parmigiana. It’s the perfect end to the perfect weekend. Once you’re done, simply hop on the train and make your way home!
Now that you have a better idea of things to do in Surrey and how to spend 48 hours in this magnificent county, all that’s left to do is book your train tickets. Explore our flexible range of ticket types to find the best one for your journey, and check out our Railcards to see how you could save even more on your rail fare.
