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Family exploring a tree hollow at Hatchlands Park, Surrey
Family exploring a tree hollow at Hatchlands Park, Surrey 1191206 | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

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 natural play areas, cafés and half term activities whatever the weather.

October half term in Surrey

Looking for a half-term day out in Surrey that’ll keep the whole family entertained? Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover fun-filled activities this Halloween.

Illustration from The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Half term at Polesden Lacey 

The Tiger Who Came to Tea is at Polesden Lacey from 16 September to 3 November. Explore this very special teatime story through extracts and illustrations from Judith Kerr’s classic story. Follow a family trail around the downstairs of the house and gardens, produced in partnership with HarperCollins Publishers. Or help Grizwald the Griffin enjoy an autumn adventure in the grounds. He’s looking for friends to help him enjoy one of his most favourite things about autumn – leaves! Trail runs daily until 4 November. £2 per trail sheet.

Father and son having an pretend sword fight with smaller sister watching in front of the Thatched cottage at Claremont Landscape Garden

Half term at Claremont Landscape Garden 

Grab your broomstick and join Claremont’s Wandering Witch and her merry band magickal creatures for an fun-filled family trail around the garden this October half term. Each creature share their favourite lesson from ‘Magick School’. £3 per trail including a magical prize. Plus Meet the Pootling Professor, weekdays during half term. Experience his magical performances daily from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November. Timings vary, check website listings for details.

A mother and father holding hands with their child and swinging them in the air, while they all laugh

Half term at Hatchlands Park 

Hunt for pumpkins in the garden, get in the Halloween spirit with activities on the parkland trail and enjoy a visit to the spooky house. It's a gentle 15 minute stroll across the parkland to the play area - and well worth a visit. There's a tree house, bug burrow, tower and balance beams to clamber on.

Girl wearing a witch costume for Halloween at Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire.

Half term at Winkworth Arboretum 

Spiders aren’t so scary! Climb through a giant spider’s web and help Sarah the spider find her lost boots on a trail through the arboretum. 19 October to 3 November.

Family walking in the woodland at Box Hill, Surrey

Half term at Box Hill 

Enjoy a family-friendly woodland Halloween trail.

Children in fancy dress for halloween

Half term at Dapdune Wharf 

Explore the wonders of stars and space with free arts and crafts: make a mini rocket, create your own constellation, and play with moon dough. 28 October to 1 November, 11am-4pm. Our popular Spooktacular Fun Run is on 26 Oct.

Gibbet Cross at Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl, Surrey in autumn

Half term at Hindhead Commons 

Discover the spooky stories, myths and legends of the Devil’s Punch Bowl on a free family trail around the commons.

Come out and play at these places in Surrey

Father running with his daughter in the natural play area with a picnic bench and willow tunnel in the background.
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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.

Visitors in the natural play area in August 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.

Visitors enjoying the view from the boathouse balcony at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
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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.

Tadworth, Surrey

Fully open today
Hunting for bugs at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex
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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.

Hindhead, Surrey

Partially open today
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.