Photo: Mark, CC BY 2.0Independent local guide to Surrey
Find your next great day out: days out, half-term, Christmas, walks, pubs and places to stay. Every listing links to the official source, with the date we last checked it.
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October half-term is 19 to 30 October. Here is what is on, with Halloween on Saturday 31 October and Bonfire Night the week after.
An autumn family trail round the garden inspired by Moominvalley, with characters from the Moomin stories to meet along the way. It is presented by Bakehouse Factory, which makes interactive theatrical events.
Photo of Epsom: Oscar248, CC BY-SA 3.0New for 2026, Hobbledown covers its front lawn in pumpkins, squashes and gourds for families to choose from, all part of a normal day ticket to the adventure park and zoo. In half-term a character trail hands out treats.
Thorpe Park's Halloween scare event marks its 25th year in 2026 with a new maze, Tenement, alongside returning mazes, scare zones and shows. The rides keep running after dark, including the Hyperia and SAW coasters.
Discovery Land's outdoor play trail gets a Halloween makeover as the character Brother Hay opens a School of Trickery. Children complete trick training stops through woodland and meadows to earn a trickster rank.
Photo of Esher: David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0Garson Farm's pick-your-own pumpkin event has a circus theme for 2026, with carnival-style games and decorated photo scenes among thousands of pumpkins of every shape and size.
A National Trust trail based on the We're Going on a Ghost Hunt picture books, following the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill as they look for ghosts hidden around the grounds. It is pitched at pre-schoolers, with things to spot and do along the way.
Santa experiences, light trails, markets and pantomimes with confirmed 2026 dates.
Photo: David Hillas, CC BY-SA 2.0Hatchlands Park, a National Trust house near East Clandon, hosts a Christmas trail from 1 November to 31 December 2026. Visitors can see Christmas decorations inside the house and follow a family trail around the parkland inspired by the Christmasaurus books by Tom Fletcher. Booking is recommended, and details on times and prices are on the event page.
Photo of Camberley: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0Local artists and makers set up stalls in Camberley Theatre's auditorium and function room, selling jewellery, craft kits, artwork and candles. The café bar stays open all day.
Photo of Farnham: Pjposullivan, CC BY-SA 3.0Farnham starts its festive season with an afternoon in Gostrey Meadow of performances from local schools, theatre groups and dance companies. There are food and gift stalls, children's rides, face painting and Santa in his grotto.
Photo of Guildford: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0A 30 to 40 minute light trail around the grounds of Guildford Castle in the town centre, with a new route and new installations for 2026. It suits young families, with hot drinks at the bandstand and marshmallow toasting pits.
Photo of Godalming: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0Ten giant gnome characters inspired by Scandinavian folklore are hidden around the Upper Arboretum. Families pick up a booklet, complete challenges and collect an embossing at each gnome.
Photo of Guildford: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Experience Guildford and the borough council launch Christmas in the town centre with walkabout characters, choirs and brass bands at Tunsgate Arch, market stalls on the High Street and a parade. A giant snow globe in Tunsgate Quarter offers a free Christmas card photo.
A few favourites to start with.
Photo: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0Grassland and mixed woodland above Abinger Hammer, with oak trees more than 300 years old and clearly marked, fairly flat paths. Charles Darwin walked here in the 1870s, and a short trail covers the history from the Stone Age to his visits.
Photo: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0A flint-walled Saxon and Norman church in the parkland of Albury Park, cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. Inside is a medieval wall painting of St Christopher and a richly decorated mortuary chapel remodelled by A W N Pugin for the Drummond family.
Photo: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0A Forestry England wood above a large heathland clearing south of Farnham, with views over the surrounding pine forest. It is one of the UK film industry's busiest locations and has been used for films, adverts and television since 1999.
Photo: Victor Ochieng, CC BY-SA 2.0A chalk hill on the North Downs with wide views over the Mole Valley and the Weald, ancient box woodland and chalk grassland. It is a popular start for waymarked walks, the North Downs Way and the Zig Zag Road cycle climb used in the 2012 Olympic road race.
Photo: MartynDavies, CC BY-SA 3.0A museum of motoring and aviation on the site of the world's first purpose-built race track, spread over 32 acres in Weybridge. You can look round racing cars, motorcycles and an aircraft park, go inside Concorde on a guided tour, and visit the London Bus Museum on the same ticket.
Photo: Jack1956, CC BY-SA 4.0A council-run theatre in central Camberley with a mixed programme of family shows, music tribute nights, comedy, dance and talks. Its Christmas show for 2026 is The Wizard of Oz, from 10 to 31 December.
Meet Doodle, our local guide
Two kids, a rainy Saturday and about £50? Doodle searches our checked listings and suggests what suits you, with links to book. It never makes up opening times or prices.
Every place and upcoming event we have checked. Tap a pin for photos and directions.
The charity we champion
Founded in Tunbridge Wells in 2014, Taylor-Made Dreams brings dreams to life for children with shorter lives and supports their families across Kent, Essex, Surrey and Sussex.
