WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN SURREY
Need to know what’s on? With half term and halloween on the horizon, let’s take a peek at the sheer plethora of events to pick from. Entertainment, family, food & drink – whatever the weather, let GuideTo be your, ahem, guide…
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW / OCTOBER 18 – 23 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
It’s spooky season, and the townsfolk of Sleepy Hollow are set to descend on Guilford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for a thrilling stage adaptation that’ll leave you quaking in your boots. Join Ichabod Crane as he enters an eerie world of secrets, unsettling traditions and encounters with the infamous headless horseman.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
SH*T-FACED SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO & JULIET / OCTOBER 21 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
The creators of the internationally acclaimed Sh*t-faced Shakespeare are back with their latest bastardisation of one of the bards famed plays. Why sh*t-faced? Well, while an altogether serious adaptation of Shakespeare attempts to take place, one actor selected at random will be entirely inebriated. What could go wrong?
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
AL MURRAY: LANDLORD HOPE AND GLORY / OCTOBER 22 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Expect a barrel of laughs from the no-nonsense boss we’d all like to have running our local. The King Cnut of common sense, Al Murray, arrives at Guildford’s G Live to inspire all things hope and glory.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
IGNITE / OCTOBER 22 – NOVEMBER 7 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
For a visual spectacle to behold, head on over to the estate of historic Polesden Lacey for the essential after-dark experience that is Ignite. Follow the trail of lights and lanterns and be enchanted by the fantasy and magic as you wander through flickering flames with your friends and family. Not to be missed. Book some tickets quick.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk
CRANLEIGH COMEDY CLUB / OCTOBER 22 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Fill your mouth with even more funny as Cranleigh Arts Centre hosts a night of stand-up comedy. Taking place every other month this October, laugh out loud with the likes of Jen Brister, Ria Lina, Josh Berry and Nathan Cassidy.
For more information, visit cranleighartscentre.org
PYO PUMPKIN WEEK / OCTOBER 23 – 30 / SECRETTS FARM, MILFORD
Possibly our favourite pastime when it comes to Halloween is the picking, carving, and painting of pumpkins. Nothing quite says ‘Halloween’ like a giant pumpkin, lit incandescently to reveal a frightening face. So head to Secrett’s Farm in Milford from the 23rd to October 30 and enjoy the adventure of seeking out your very own pumpkin to take home and transform into a terrifying jack’ o’ lantern.
For more information, visit secretts.co.uk
OCTOBER HALF TERM GHOST TRAIL / OCTOBER 23 – 31 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Where better suited to a ghost trail than the historic environs of Hampton Court Palace? The walls of Henry VIII’s old stomping ground have witnessed their fair share of frightening events in their time, and this half term, you can go on a special ghost trail to discover the ghostly stories that have given the Hampton Court Palace its spooky reputation.
For more information, visit hrp.org.uk
FAIRY DOORS AT PAINSHILL / OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 14 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
Little wooden fairy doors will be hidden around the landscape garden for families to find this autumn. Seek and you shall find a magical adventure for the little one’s in your life. Price included in general admission tickets.
For more information, visit painshillpark.co.uk
FUNGI FORAY / OCTOBER 23 / BROOKWOOD, WOKING
Fancy a forage? Meeting at the Brookwood Station Car Park on the outskirts of Woking, join your Wild Fruits guide as you walk through the woods and learn about the wonderful world of edible fungi. A one day course that includes wild food, drinks and snacks, spend the day amongst the great outdoors and discover the bounty of foodstuffs that lie in wait.
For more information, visit facebook.com/londonwildfruits
COBHAM FARMERS’ MARKETS / OCTOBER 23 / HOLLYHEDGE ROAD, COBHAM
Spend your Saturday morning foraging some fine fayre at Cobham’s monthly Farmers’ Market held on Hollyhedge Road. From 9.30am – 2pm, pick up preserves to spread upon freshly baked loafs of bread, as well as local and seasonal produce fit for an afternoon nibble or three.
For more information, visit surreymarkets.co.uk
THE GIN AFFAIR / OCTOBER 23 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
An ode to this discerning drink of choice, celebrate all things Gin with a day of celebration, education, and potentially some kind of inebriation. Discover a plethora of producers from far and wide, all vying for the attention of your taste buds, and enjoy masterclasses, tasters, live music and more. Choose from an afternoon or evening session – and drink responsibly!
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
FARNHAM FARMERS’ MARKETS / OCTOBER 24 / CENTRAL CAR PARK, FARNHAM
Find your way to Farnham this Sunday for the monthly farmers’ market taking place in the Central car Park. Taking place between 10am – 1.30pm, find something special for the week ahead and revel in some ruddy good food and drink.
For more information, visit farnham.gov.uk
AUTUMN HALF-TERM / OCTOBER 24 – 31 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Wander into The Enchanted Woodland of Watts Gallery Artists’ Village on the outskirts of Guildford this half term and take part in autumnal activities and some creepy crafts with clay. Suitable for ages 5+, daily sessions take place at 10.30 – 11.30 am, 1 – 2 pm and 3 – 4 pm at the cost of £3 per child.
For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk
XTREME ACTIVATE HOLIDAY DAY CAMP / OCTOBER 25 – 29 / SPECTRUM, GUILDFORD
Guildford’s Spectrum Leisure Complex has a host of ideas for your October half term, from action-packed days out to weeklong activity camps. From making a strike in the ten-pin bowling alley to making a splash in the pool, climbing to the top of the Rock Box or spinning around the ice-skating rink – get out and get active this month.
For more information, visit guildfordspectrum.co.uk
POTION BOTTLES, WIRE WRAPPED BATS, MINI GHOSTS AND HALLOWEEN LANTERNS / OCTOBER 26, 27 + 29 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
In the days leading up to Halloween, why not visit The Lightbox in Woking and create some spooky bits for the home. With a mixture of free and bookable workshops aimed at 5-7-year-olds and 8-11-year-olds, enjoy some kooky arts and crafts this half term.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
CREEPY COMIC WORKSHOP / OCTOBER 27 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Fancy creating a creepy comic book? For kids, 7 – 12 interested in illustration and comics, head for G Live in Guildford for this Halloween themed interactive workshop with illustrator Aaron Blecha (Dinomighty graphic novel series). Get tips on how to develop your characters, story and style and get inspired to create your own creepy comic.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
AUTUMN CARNIVAL / OCTOBER 26 – 31 / RHS GARDEN WISLEY
Find out how the autumn season is celebrated around the world this half-term as RHS Garden, Wisley celebrates with a range of activities and trails. Then, the weekend before half term (23 + 24), the autumn circus will arrive with thrilling performances taking place in the big top marquee.
For more information, visit rhs.org.uk
SCOTT MATTHEWS / OCTOBER 26 / HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, GUILDFORD
Hosted by The Boileroom, Scott Matthews arrives at Guildford’s iconic Holy Trinity Church for an atmospheric night of music. Since breaking onto the scene with 2006’s debut Passing Strangers, Scott Matthews music has been evolving to a point where he has mastered the art of one man and his guitar and can now be found experimenting with electronic beats and synthesisers in his shedio. Experience the craftsmanship of this seasoned songwriter and listen to sounds that unmistakably belong to Scott Matthews.
For more information, visit theboileroom.net
THE SMEDS AND SMOOS / OCTOBER 27 – 31 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
A stellar new show based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? Enjoy music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged three and up this half term.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
YOUNG CREATIVES: STOP MOTION ANIMATION / OCTOBER 28 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
For young creatives aged 11 – 16, The Lightbox in Woking host this excellent Stop Motion Animation workshop this half term. Develop your imagination and creativity by telling a story using Plasticine claymation characters in the style of Wallace & Gromit or use your own Lego, Playmobil or toy characters, bringing them to life via stop motion animation. Booking required.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
WOODLAND FEAST OVER FIRE / OCTOBER 28 + 29 / THE SALTBOX, PRIORY FARM ESTATE, REDHILL
For an alternative to dining out in the town’s latest eateries, head for the woods of Priory Farm and join wild food specialists The Salt Box for a woodland feast cooked over the fire in the great outdoors. Meet fellow intrepid foodies whilst sampling the very best in local and seasonal produce.
For more information, visit wearethesaltbox.co.uk
COBHAM PLAYERS PRESENT: BARBECUE + UNDER MILKWOOD / OCTOBER 28 – 30 / COBHAM VILLAGE HALL
After more than 18 months away, Cobham’s finest amateur dramatic society, the Cobham Players, return to the stage this autumn with a double-bill of two fantastic plays. Enjoy two one-act plays in the form of Stephen Scheurer’s Barbecue and Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood (abridged).
For more information, visit cobhamplayers.org.uk
LIGHTBOX LATES / OCTOBER 28 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
On the last Thursday of the month, the Lightbox in Woking keeps their doors open for a bit longer as the Lightbox Late sessions return. Featuring a range of monthly meets for like-minded folk to assemble, choose from The Lightbox Book Group (6 pm) and Poetry Open Mic Night (8 pm). And especially for October, enjoy a Halloween Special as paranormal expert Marq English tells some Woking Ghost Stories.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
HALLOWEEN FRANKENSTEIN BROWNIES / OCTOBER 29 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Suitable for little horrors aged 5 – 10, follow the fiendish path to Farnham Maltings this Halloween and make some devilishly delicious Frankenstein Brownies. Add bolts, bandages, spiders and stitches to your brownies to take home and serve to your ghoulish gang. Children do not need to be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
HUNDRED WATT CLUB / OCTOBER 29 / THE SHED @ WHITEHILL & BORDON
Join the acclaimed Hundred Watt Club at The Shed in Whitehill & Bordon for a bold and brash night of burlesque. Get set for a naughty night as a cast of curious folk take to the stage for Halloween themed burlesque and vaudeville show. Hosted by the lewd and crude Aunty Mae, expect a spine-tingling striptease from showgirl Velvet Jones, dizzying circus stunts from world-record holder Chi Chi Revolver, spooky showgirl Serafina Heart strutting her stuff, and madcap duo Griffin and Jones give you a glimpse into their topsy turvy world. Sounds fun, right? Book some tickets quick.
For more information, visit theshedwb.com
JAVIER JARQUIN: CARD NINJA / OCTOBER 30 / THE EXCHANGE, TWICKENHAM
Prepare for a Shogun showdown in the dojo with the Card Ninja. Wowing you with his ninja skills, together with deadly and risky card flicking tricks, catch this crazy show at The Exchange in Twickenham this half term holiday.
For more information, visit exchangetwickenham.co.uk
HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING / OCTOBER 30 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM, TILFORD
The Rural Life Living Museum in Tilford will host a special spooky storytelling session this Halloween. Join award-winning storyteller Jason Buck for a terrifying tale or two with a session for little ones aged 7+ and a second session for slightly older beasts aged 12+. An outdoor event, dress suitably for the season. Pre-booked tickets are essential.
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
THE JUKEBOX & RETRO FAIR / OCTOBER 30 – 31 / CHESSINGTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Before the days of Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, if you were out and about at your local café and pub, you, the customer and consumer may have feasibly selected the tunes that you and your fellow patrons would listen to via the Jukebox. This magical music machine might contain hundreds of records to trawl through for you to be DJ for the evening. So get back to those retro days and head for The Jukebox & Retro Fair in Chessington for a day of non-stop nostalgia.
For more information, visit jukeboxfair.co.uk
GRAYSHOTT FOLK CLUB: INDIA ELECTRIC CO. / OCTOBER 30 / GRAYSHOTT VILLAGE HALL
Grayshott Folk Club invites emerging indie-pop folk duo India Electric Co. to the stage this month for a night of blissful tunes. Local music fans are advised to watch them in a small local venue while they still can.
For more information, visit grayshottfolkclub.co.uk
FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR FAMILY RACEDAY / OCTOBER 30 / ASCOT RACECOURSE
One of the regions largest firework displays, Ascot Racecourse will be holding their famed Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday again this year. Taking place on the spooky date of October 30, expect your fair share of halloween themed tricks or treats. Enrol in Magician School or try the Slippery Slime Workshop before watching the display at 6.30pm
For more information, visit ascot.co.uk
THE ALLERGIES / OCTOBER 31 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
This October, the Bristol-based hip-hop, funk and soul duo The Allergies bring the flavours to The Boileroom in Guildford. Usually found mixing it up on the turntables, The Allergies bring with them the full live band experience promising a night of much partying to the people, expect them to be dropping plenty of tunes from their latest album, Promised Land.
For more information, visit theboileroom.net
BRICK OR TREAT / NOW UNTIL OCTOBER 31 / LEGOLAND WINDSOR RESORT
Back for 2021, take part in the Brick or Treat trail to find Monster Rocker’s hidden Halloween surprises. Download the LEGOLAND App and solve the clues before heading to the Creepy Crypt to receive a goody bag from Lord Vampyre’s Butler. Each goody bag includes a mini LEGO® pumpkin which guests can take home and build.
For more information, visit legoland.co.uk
LOOKING FOR MORE THINGS TO DO? CHECK OUT THESE GUIDES TO GOING OUT