YES FAM! THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN SURREY
People, get ready. The summer holidays are here and with them, a whole heap of fun to be had with the family in Surrey. Outdoor adventures, theatre, and much, much playtime.

THE GREAT GARDEN ADVENTURE WITH SHAUN THE SHEEP / JULY 20 – AUGUST 26 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
Join the fun and frolics with Shaun this summer as he learns top tips about how to grow scrumptious fresh food from the garden to keep him in great condition. An education, immersive and super fun summer awaits at Wisley. Create your very own clay Shaun the Sheep, meet him ‘in the fleece’ and lose yourself in the straw bale maze. Join in with hands-on nature workshops and plant some insect-friendly flowers.
For more information, visit rhs.org.uk
SUMMER OF PLAY / JULY 21 – SEPTEMBER 1 / LEITH HILL PLACE, HATCHLANDS PARK, CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDENS
Beginning this July, select National Trust sites throughout Surrey will play host to a Summer of Play. Enjoy bowling, archery, boating and much more. The perfect day out for the whole family.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk
WILD SUMMER CAMP / JULY 23 – AUGUST 19 / PAINSHILL, COBHAM
Painshill Park in Cobham is a great place to set up camp this summer – a Wild Summer Camp. Learn how to build a den, light your fire, the bushcraft way to toast marshmallows and create your woodland mask with five days of really wild activities.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
JOYLESS JOBS FOR KIDS! / JULY 24 – SEPTEMBER 1 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSUEM, TILFORD
Visit Rural Life Living Museum’s Victorian Joyless Jobs jobshop in the Village Hall and have a go at some of the tasks Victorian children had to do. Expect birdscaring, chambermaid cleaning, and plenty of polishing to be done! Please note: nice smells and a sense of fulfilment is not guaranteed.
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
THE MAGIC GARDEN / WEDNESDAYS – SUNDAYS / HAMPTON COURT PALACE, EAST MOLESEY
Meet mythical beasts and enter a curious world of wonder within Hampton Court Palace as The Magic Garden returns to capture kids’ imaginations. After an enforced hiatus because of you know what, enjoy the chance to explore the historic royal palace and its fascinating history with a fun trail around the garden, discovering legends and tales of the kings and queens who once lived there.
For more information, visit hrp.org.uk
SUMMER WORKSHOPS / JULY 24 – AUGUST 8 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre will host a range of excellent Creative Learning Workshops this summer. From learning about what goes on behind the scenes to musical theatre workshops, sound and lighting design and the wonderful world of storytelling – let your little entertainers take their first steps in the world of theatre and sign up online.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
MERRIST WOOD HOLIDAY CLUB / JULY 30 + AUGUST 6 + 8 / MERRIST WOOD COLLEGE, WORPLESDON
If you have children aged 8yrs-12yrs who love animals, conservation and being outdoors, why not come along and join in the fun at Merrist Wood Holiday Club? In an age where screens often dominate children’s attention, Merrist Wood Holiday Club provides a refreshing escape into nature, with over 400 acres of outdoor space to explore.
For more information, visit merristwoodevents.co.uk
MEET HENRY VIII / JULY 29 – AUGUST 1 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Enjoy an interactive experience with the legendary Tudor king and his hostess, Gertrude Courtenay. They will regale you with their incredible stories using real words from their surviving letters. Spark a passion in your children as they watch history come to life. While chatting with Henry VIII you can even taste authentic Tudor food from the surviving 1533 menu. Book your space to travel back in time.
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
WILD EXPLORERS HOLIDAY CLUB / JULY 30 – AUGUST 22 / NOWER WOOD EDUCATIONAL NATURE RESERVE, LEATHERHEAD
For really wild kids aged 5 – 11, head for Nower Wood near Leatherhead and join this Wild Explorers Holiday Club for the day. Explore, play and connect with nature by building campfires, building shelters and toasting marshmallows.
For more information, visit surreywildlifetrust.org
CREATIVE SUMMER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS / JULY 31 – AUGUST 30 / FARNHAM MALTINGS, FARNHAM
From creative art and 3D design, to movie make up and circus school, enjoy a range of fun bookable-workshops for the kids this summer at Farnham Maltings.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
THE LOXWOOD JOUST / AUGUST 3 – 4, 10 – 11 + 17 – 18 / LOXWOOD MEADOW, LOXWOOD
Hear Ye! hear Ye! The annual and ever legendary Loxwood Joust returns to the meadows of the Surrey and Sussex borders this August. So be transported as you drink mead, make merry and indulge in the sights, sounds and senses of a time when things were treacherous, tough, tenacious and terrifically wicked. This year includes an extra weekend of majestic mayhem as well as camping!
For more information, visit loxwoodjoust.co.uk
SUMMER FAIR / AUGUST 4 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSUEM, TILFORD
It is officially the Summer Holidays! Head to Rural Life Living Museum for a range of family activities. Take a ride on the train or, if you prefer, a fire engine! There might even be a bus ride. Explore all of the exhibits and chat with the museum volunteers who maintain the objects around the site. Learn the stories behind Deek’s Cycle Shop, the School Room or the Dennis Collection and more. You can even watch disappearing crafts demonstrations.
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
OUTDOOR THEATRE: MRS ARMITAGE ON WHEELS / AUGUST 5 / KNOWLE PARK, CRANLEIGH
If you could change anything on your bicycle, what would it be? A comfy new saddle? An ice cream maker? Rocket boosters?! Adapted from Quentin Blake’s classic tale, Scoot Theatre present a 40-minute interactive, energetic show, celebrating the joy of getting outdoors and being active.
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
GSYP 2024: WE WILL ROCK YOU YOUNG@PART® / AUGUST 5 – 9 / THE ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Suitable for ages 8 to 16. WE WILL ROCK YOU Young@Part® is the authorized 70 minute edition of the West End musical for elementary and middle schools, and youth theatres. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Queen, this new version of the show is perfect for kids to perform! Sign up quick for a song filled summer.
For more information, visit electric.theatre
SUMMER FAMILY DAY / AUGUST 7 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
The popular Summer Family Fun Festival returns to The Lightbox with a week of creative activities to spark imaginations during the summer holidays, including National Play Day. The Café will be serving family-friendly options for appetites of all sizes with ice creams to keep cool. Expect free drop-in sessions and creative play aplenty.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: ROTTEN ROYALS / AUGUST 9 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Would you be wooed by Richard the Lionheart? Are you ready for a date with King Edward I? Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? See Mary Tudor knock the spots off Mary Queen of Scots! Can evil Elizabeth entertain England? Boasting the funniest and most outrageous regal scenes from the hit Barmy Britain shows, Rotten Royals promises Guildford will be most amused!It’s history with the nasty bits left in!
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
COLLECTIVELY CAMBERLEY CAR SHOW / AUGUST 10 / CAMBERLEY TOWN CENTRE
Head to Camberley, and see over 200 vintage and classic cars take to the streets as the Camberley Car Show returns for another mammoth day of amazing motor vehicles. With a few surprises in store on the day, visitors can also expect live music, theatre, face painting, food, drink and more.
For more information, visit collectivelycamberley.co.uk
A WILDLIFE ADVENTURE / SATURDAYS + SUNDAYS / ALBURY VINEYARD
Calling all nature explorers… visit the wildlife trail at Albury Vineyard this Summer. Families are invited to visit for a self-guided wildlife walk through the vines featuring bat and barn owl boxes, bug hotels, bee hives, butterfly scrapes, an insect highway, wildflower meadows to attract pollinators, compost pits, a pond, and a huge bench shaped as a cow horn.
For more information, visit alburyvineyard.com
ERROL’S GARDEN / AUGUST 19 / FARNHAM MALTINGS, FARNHAM
Errol loves plants so much that he has them growing out of every pot, pan, and teacup he can find in his small flat. But he knows that plants need water, sunlight, and space. They need a garden. Adapted from the award-winning book by Gillian Hibbs, Errol’s Garden is a fun interactive musical filled with catchy songs, imagination, and a passion for plants.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
CHARLIE COOK’S FAVOURITE BOOK / AUGUST 20 – 26 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
Based on the original book Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book… Family fun at Kingsto’s Rose Theatre awaits.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
THE LION INSIDE / AUGUST 27 – 29 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
‘No matter your size, we all have a mouse and a lion inside.’ A heart-warming tale about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar. Based on the best-selling story by Rachel Bright & Jim Field, this brand new stage adaptation is directed by Sarah Punshon (The Jungle Book), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (Brief Encounter).
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
THE 13-STOREY TREEHOUSE / AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 1 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
Who wouldn’t want to live in a treehouse? Especially a 13-storey treehouse that has everything including a bowling alley, a secret underground laboratory, self-making beds and a marshmallow machine! Head to Woking’s New Victoria Theatre this month and experience the wonder.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/
FAMILY FESTIVAL FRIDAY / AUGUST 30 / SANDOWN PARK RACROURSE, ESHER
End this year’s summer holidays on a high and enjoy one last day out with your family as Sandown Park Racecourse open their gates to families far and wide for one last summer party. You’ll be able to take in seven thrilling races out on the track throughout the day, as well as take part in a whole host of family fun and games throughout the day – all free of charge!
For more information, visit thejockeyclub.co.uk
PYO SWEETCORN WEEKEND / AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 1 / SECRETTS FARM, MILFORD
An entire festival dedicated to the crop we call sweetcorn. Make your way to Secrett’s Farm in Milford for a three-day extravaganza dedicated to the versatile vegetable. With fun activities and more, make it a day with the family.
For more information, visit secretts.co.uk
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