We love that there are so many National Trust properties to explore in Surrey. What’s more, there are LOADS of brilliant events coming up during the summer holidays (and into October half term) suitable for children of varying ages. Here’s a handy list of which National Trust properties you can visit in Surrey and a taste of what’s happening at each over the coming weeks.
Table of Contents
River Wey & Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf
Tranquil waterway running for nearly 20 miles through the heart of Surrey.
Wharf to Mill by boat
Travel from Dapdune Wharf to Shalford by boat, passing through locks and water meadows, before an uphill walk to the mill for a picnic and mill tour. Price: £17 includes return by boat to Dapdune (July 24th, September 18th, September 25th).
Wharf Weenies
For young children (aged 18 months or over), these special sessions take place at Dapdune Wharf. With storytime, fun craft activities and the chance to run around outside based around children’s stories. Price: £3 (25th July)
Summer holiday festival of sport
Fancy kicking off your summer holiday with the festival of sport at Dapdune Wharf? Bring your bike and ride a cycle course, play table tennis or have a go at archery. You can even learn to canoe on the River Wey. Or what about trying New Age Kurling in the Barge Building Shed? Price: £2.50 for children’s activities, £6 for canoeing (various dates from 28th July to 4th August).
Earth, wind, fire and water
In August you can discover all things earth, wind fire and water. From a messy mud kitchen to kites, fire lighting and water games along with a range of other fun activities. Price: £2.50 children’s activities (various dates from 1st to 29th August).
For more information visit the River Wey & Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf website.
Shalford Mill
18th-century watermill with well-preserved machinery
Wharf to Mill by boat
Take a boat from Dapdune Wharf to St Catherine’s before walking across the boardwalk uphill to the mill for a tour and a picnic. Price: £17 includes the return to Dapdune Wharf and lunch (various dates from 24th July).
For more information, visit the Shalford Mill website.
Clandon Park
Explore a remarkable ruin and see behind the scenes of one of the UK’s biggest heritage projects
Meet the team
Join Clandon Park on-site to gain a deeper insight into the work going on behind the scenes with a specialist view from the project team. A team member will be on-site each month to answer questions on their area of specialism. Not suitable for under 2’s. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 24th July)
Heritage Open Day
Visit Clandon Park and its garden completely free of charge as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend. Look deep inside the heart of Clandon Park and discover extraordinary views of the incredible structure from the basement floor to the scaffolding roof. Not suitable for under 2’s. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (14th September).
For more information, visit the Clandon Park website.
Hatchlands Park
Stretches of sweeping parkland sheltering a classic country house
Nautical flags – Children’s summer trail
Make exploring Hatchland’s extensive parkland even more exciting by joining the Nautical trail. Keep your eyes peeled for seafaring flags which contain the answers you need. How will you do against Admiral Boscawen? Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 24th July).
Pony Magic
POD’s first-ever pony ride was at Hatchlands Park and she still loves having a ride here. It’s a wonderful experience with beautiful, safe ponies and handlers that are experienced with kids of all ages. Suitable for 2-11-year-olds. Price: £3 per ride/normal admission may apply (various dates from 28th July).
Cellar Tours
Fancy a nose underneath the house? Grab a hard hat and a latern and take a wander into the cellars to discover those unseen places. Tours run on a first come first served basis subject to demand (sign up at reception on the day). Not suitable for under 8’s (tours last 30 minutes). Price: Free/normal admission may apply (28th July)
Bat Walk
A guided walk at dusk in search of some of Hatchland’s bat population. You can borrow a bat detector to hear, and maybe even see, some of the 9 species that live there. Price: £3 child and £7 adult (various dates from 1st August).
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the UK’s premier all-male theatre company is celebrating its 15th year with Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on the lawn at Hatchlands. Price: £8 child, £16 adult, £40 family; 2 adults, 2 kids (4th August).
Have A Go Archery
See yourself as the next Robin Hood? Join in with archery classes designed for age six and above with H&H Archery. Price: £2.50 for 6 arrows/normal admission may apply (25th August, 15th September)
Alice in Wonderland
With their most spectacularly bonkers show to date, Immersion Theatre makes the imagination run wild in a fantastical, larger-than-life musical brimming with nonsensical family fun. Price: £8 child, £12 adult, £32 family; 2 adults, 2 kids (25th and 26th August).
Heritage Open Days weekend
Today you can visit Hatchlands Park, its gardens and parkland free of charge for Heritage Open Day weekend. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (15th September)
For more information, visit the Hatchlands Park website.
Winkworth Arboretum
An unfinished masterpiece
Crafternoons
Gluesticks at the ready? Time to join in with an afternoon of colours and creativity, suitable for children aged 1+. Price: £1.50/normal admission may apply (various dates from 25th July).
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic! Bring your teddy and a picnic to Winkworth Arboretum for an afternoon of storytelling and songs. Suitable for young and old – children aged 1+. Price: £3/normal admission may apply (various dates from 5th August).
Big Camp
Camp beneath the stars with your family at Winkworth Arboretum. Bring your tent and join in with some nighttime nature activities with their wildlife expert or enjoy an enchanting evening in the peaceful woodland. Price: £16 child, £35 adults – overnight activity (10th August).
Bat Walk
Discover the creatures of the night at Winkworth Arboretum. Price: £5 child, £10 adults/normal admission may apply (10th August).
Live Local, Love Winkworth 10
Join Winkworth as it buzzes with activity! See the woodland transformed for the tenth annual community day with something to see and do in every corner of the Arboretum. From apple pressing to alpacas, face painting to falconry displays, and an array of local stallholders selling everything from popcorn to pom poms! Price: Free/normal admission may apply (1st September).
Heritage Open Day
Winkworth is open and free to explore as part of England’s biggest heritage festival. Price: Free (14th September).
Fungi foray
Join Winkworth Arboretum for a seasonal stroll. Price: £6 child, £11 adult/normal admission may apply (22nd September, 12th October).
Sunrise walk and photography opportunity
One for me for sure! Join Winkworth on an early morning adventure to capture beautiful shots of the arboretum as the sun rises. Price: £13 (5th October).
Half-term trail: Peculiar Pumpkins
There are some strange goings-on at Winkworth over Halloween. Price: £1/normal admission may apply (19th October).
Pumpkin carving
You can carve your very own pumpkin decoration just in time for Halloween. Price: £2/normal admission may apply (29th October).
For more information, visit the Winkworth Arboretum website.
Polesden Lacey
The perfect setting for an Edwardian country retreat
Summer Holiday Craft Activities
Join in with some wonderful summer craft activities at Polesden Lacey with a different craft each week during the summer holidays. Some of the old favourites feature, such as kite making and flying and the ever-popular snail racing! Plus there are some brand new activities too. Price: £2.50 child/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Unseen Spaces Tours 2019
See some of the unseen rooms at Polesden Lacey like guest bedrooms, corridors, & the King’s suite! Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Photography Workshops
Make the most of your camera skills with one of the Polesden Lacey photographers. Understand what camera controls do and how they relate to one another. Portraiture, landscape, action, flash and low light photography will be covered. Price: £100 adult (various dates from 25th July).
Meet our talented local makers
Come and meet the talented local makers at Polesden Lacey throughout July and August. There’s jewellery making, stained glass making, gin making and fudge making to name a few. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 27th July).
Lazy Jazz Sundays
Relax on a Sunday afternoon with live music during the summer and during August Bank Holiday Monday. Price: Free/normal admission may apply(various dates from 28th July).
Meet a Polesden Ranger – family activity
Meet the superheroes of the woodland – a Polesden ranger! Price: Free/normal admission may apply (3rd August, 7th September).
Bat Walks
Find out about these wonderful creatures in a Ranger-guided walk. See the bats dart and dive and hear their nocturnal calls with special detectors. Price: £5 child, £8 adult/normal admission may apply (various dates from 7th August).
For more information, visit the Polesden Lacey website.
Frensham Little Pond
Medieval bishops’ fish pond in tranquil wildlife haven amidst precious heathland
October 2019 half-term trail
Follow Frensham Little Pond’s 50 Things trail on a one mile walk around Frensham Little Pond. Price: £1 donation/normal admission may apply (various dates from 26th October).
For more information, visit the Frensham Little Pond website.
Denbies Hillside
Dramatic and stunning chalk escarpment with panoramic views
An Evening Of Bats and Owls at Denbies Hillside
Learn about moths, bats and barn owls with the rangers and local experts on Denbies Hillside. Price: £8 per person/normal admission may apply (6th September).
For more information, visit the Denbies Hillside website.
Leith Hill Place
Beauty and genius in the Surrey Hills
Summer Art School: Young Sketchers
Budding artists (aged 11-16 years) can join the Leith Place summer school to hone their technicals skills and get a good lungful of fresh air! Price: £35 (various dates from 24th July).
Soundscape tour
Join this audio tour to hear more about the life and music of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who spent his early, formative years up Leith Hill Place. Suitable for age 12 and above. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 26th July).
Yoga Bananas children’s taster sessions
Bring your children (aged 4-9) to Yoga Bananas, bringing a yoga mat if you have one. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (2nd and 3rd August).
Family baking workshop
Children can learn how to measure and mix ingredients, choose toppings and make a pizza in this parent/child session. The group will also contribute to making a salad plus you’ll bake some biscuits to take home. Price: £7 adult, £13 child/normal admission may apply (6th August).
Musical Impressions: Family Drop-in Sessions
The whole family can join an interactive music and art drop-in session this summer. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (31st August).
Jingle Ring
Bring your children to a family music session with Jane Newberry featuring toys, percussion and dance. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (14th September).
For more information, visit the Leith Hill Place website.
Leith Hill Tower and countryside
Come and explore the trails through woodland, heathland, and farmland before climbing to the top of the majestic Leith Hill Tower.
Guided Bat Walk
Guided by a Ranger, you can learn about bats’ habitat, food and the conservation challenges faced. Price: £12 per person/normal admission may apply (15th August).
Leith Hill Tower Heritage Open Day
Join the lead ranger who will talk about the history of this iconic Surrey landmark, before you climb up Leith Hill Tower’s spiral stairs for one of the best views around. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (21st September).
Hindhead Commons and The Devil’s Punchbowl
Spectacular views and walks in the Surrey countryside
Summer Of Sport at Devil’s Punch Bowl
There is a range of family-friendly summer sports activities taking place. Learn new skills, get some fresh air and give your kids a summer they’ll never forget! Price: Free/normal admission may apply (10th August).
October 2019 half-term trail
Follow the 50 Things trail on this one mile walk over Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Price: £1 donation/normal admission may apply (various dates from 26th October).
Halloween spooky trail
Join in with an evening of storytelling and Halloween treats. Price: £8 per child/normal admission may apply (30th October).
For more information, visit the Leigh Hill and Countryside website.
Claremont Landscaped Garden
A garden for all seasons
Adventurers assemble trail
Visit Claremont Landscape Gardens for a garden challenge! The ideal way to keep those mini adventurers occupied! Price: £1 per trail/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Real Reptiles
Tom’s Talking reptiles are coming to Claremont. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (28th July).
Boating
Enjoy rowing in one of the traditional boats to see Claremont from a different perspective. Price: £5 for 20 minutes rowing/normal admission may apply (various dates from 3rd August).
Creatures of Claremont trail
Learn all about the creatures that live at Claremont on this trail! Price: £1 per trail/normal admission may apply (various dates from 3rd August).
Belvedere Tower Open
This is an opportunity to visit one of the oldest buildings on the Claremont estate which is open to the public on various weekends throughout the year. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 3rd August).
Teddy bears’ picnic and storytelling
A fun-filled picnic for every bear with stories and songs, bring your own picnic. Price: £1 per trail/normal admission may apply (various dates from 3rd August).
Crazy golf at Claremont
Take the family for a round of Crazy Golf at Claremont. Price: £2 child and £2.50 adult/normal admission may apply (11th August).
Summer craft workshops
Bring summertime into the home with easy to make creative crafts. Price: £1.50/normal admission may apply (various dates from 12th August).
Mini Beasts Bingo Trail
Go on a hunt for Claremont’s minibeasts on this fun trail around the garden. Price: £1 per trail/normal admission may apply (various dates from 17th August).
Big Camp
Experience nature at its very best with an overnight camp under the stars. Enjoy nature at night in this very special family event. Price: £16 child, £35 adult (17th August).
Island Open Day
A rare opportunity to visit the Claremont’s island by boat with its mysterious hideaways and historical importance. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (25th August).
Huxley’s birds of prey
A great opportunity to see a wide variety of birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in the beautiful landscaped garden. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (8th September).
Bat walk
Find about more about the bats at Claremont with the Surrey Bat Group for an evening walk. Price: £11/normal admission may apply (13th September).
Autumn colour
Enjoy those radiant reds, brilliant bronzes and glowing golds on an autumn day amid the historic trees. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 18th October).
Half-term potion-making trail
Find wizard ingredients for your potion in Claremont’s half-term potion-making trail. Price: £1/normal admission may apply (various dates from 19th October).
For more information, visit the Claremont Landscape Garden website.
Box Hill
So much to explore
Bee glade
Discover more about Box Hill’s buzzing superheroes in a “bee glade” installation which is a short walk from the café. Suitable for young children and inquiring minds. Plus there’s a fact sheet that can be collected from the Shepherd’s Hut afterwards. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Get to know the Box Hill Discovery Zone
Check out the pop-up discovery zone outside the cafe with its dormouse maze, a nature table, find the birds and mural colouring sheets. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (27th and 28th July).
Box Hill Bugs
Box Hill Bugs is a fun, exploratory, toddler and pre-school group for nature lovers. Price: £30 per half term/normal admission may apply (various dates from 19th September).
Box Hill Bugs & Beetles taster session
Inspirational play, muddy puddles and a deep-rooted connection to the natural world are all part of these sessions. Enjoy singing, outdoor play and hearing fascinating facts. Free taster session to Box Hill Bugs & Beetles as part of Heritage Open Days. Price: Free (21st September).
For more information, visit the Box Hill website.
Swan Barn Farm
A quiet retreat of woodland and pasture only 30 seconds from Haslemere High Street
Countryside Crafts Day
Bring the family for traditional craft demonstrations and with opportunities to join in. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (27th July).
Community apple pressing day
Join in a free, family-friendly apple day at Swan Barn Farm. Bring along your own apples or join the rangers in using a heritage press and scratter to make your own apple juice and cider! Price: Free (28th September).
For more information, visit the Swan Barn Farm website.
Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Riverside site of the sealing of Magna Carta
Family trail: King John and Robin Hood
Learn about King John and Robin Hood on this summer holiday trail. Price: £1 per trail/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Birds of Prey
Discover more about different types of birds from around the world. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (27th July).
Big Camp
Camp under the stars in historic surroundings where royalty used to roam with special activities run by a wildlife expert. This is an overnight event starting at 4pm on Saturday 3rd August and finishing the following morning. Price: £15 child, £30 adult (3rd August).
Have a go archery
Discover who has the best shot at the shooting range and learn historic facts about archery in the time of King John. Price: £2.50 for 6 arrows/normal admission may apply (24th August).
The Story of Ankerwycke
A guided tour to discover the history of hidden Ankerwycke, from its 2,500-year-old yew to today’s conservation activities. Price: £5 child, £10 adult/normal admission may apply (15th and 22nd September).
Fungi foray
Join a local expert to learn about the fungi at Cooper’s Hill Woods. Price: £5 child, £10 adult/normal admission may apply (28th September, 26th October).
For more information, visit the Runnymede and Ankerwycke website.
Ham House and Garden
A unique 17th-century treasure trove
Aesop’s Fables (and other plays) at the Grand Picnic
Enchanting magic awaits at the bell tent which has magically appeared in the wilderness. Fireside Folktales will be re-told through short plays throughout the day. Price: £7.50 child and £7.50 adult/normal admission may apply (various plays being shown from 3rd August including Persephone & The Pomegranate Seeds and A Tale of Robin Hood at the Grand Picnic).
For more information, visit the Ham House website.
Petworth
Inspired by the Baroque palaces of Europe and nestled in the South Downs, Petworth House displays the finest art collection in the care of the National Trust.
Wings and Whiskers Trail
Join this indoor and outdoor trail to meet some of the animals of Petworth. From deer to bats and even animals immortalised in art. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Life Below Stairs Guided Tour
Discover how servants lived in these free 45-minute guided tours. See spaces in the Servants’ Quarters not normally open to the public and some of the tasks and chores of people that worked at Petworth. Price: Free/normal admission may apply (various dates from 23rd July).
Perseids Meteor Shower and Nocturnal Wildlife Guided Walk
Bring along a torch and a blanket to see the Deer Park at night and discover some of the nocturnal wildlife and try out some star gazing. Price: £6 adults, children free/normal admission may apply (12th August).
Deer rut guided walk
Discover how Petworth measures the quality of the deer on a guided walk. Not suitable for young children. Price: £3 donation/normal admission may apply (25th October).
For more information, visit the Petworth website. Please note the mansion is not open as usual from 1st to 3rd and 8th to 11th August.
We hope this post has provided you with some inspiration especially for the summer holidays – there’s so much to see and do and this is just in Surrey! Please be aware prices are a guide only and normal admission may apply. Here’s to discovering new National Trust places and re-visiting the ones we’ve fallen for already.
Don’t forget to share your UK outdoor adventures, not just at National Trust properties, with the #UKExplore community on Instagram I co-host with Mini Travellers. Each month we give away a National Trust day pass. You can see my round-up of last month’s top ten photos here and Karen’s are here.
