WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
It’s half term week which means lots of things to do with the family and a handful of helpful tips for grown up excursions too. It’s the one and only guide to what’s on this week in Surrey.
VALENTINE’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA IN THE CRYSTAL GROTTO / FEBRUARY 14 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
Enjoy a scenic setting in the atmospheric environs of Painshill Park’s Crystal Grotto as the entrance to this elusive spot is opened once again for doting couples this Valentine’s Day. Indulge in a mixture of finger sandwiches, cakes and homemade scones coupled with a glass of Painshill’s own sparkling wine.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
WAITRESS / FEBRUARY 14 – 19 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
Starring Chelsea Halfpenny (BBC’s Casualty and ITV’s Emmerdale) and Matt Willis (Busted, Wicked), the hit musical comedy Waitress arrives at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre, serving up some sweet treats for theatre fans to tuck in to. Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, dreams of happiness, but life gets complicated when a hot doctor arrives on the scene. Find out more this February.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/woking
JUNIOR STORM NETBALL CAMP & SURREY STORM PLAYER MASTERCLASS / FEBRUARY 14 + 15 / SURREY SPORTS PARK, GUILDFORD
Sporty kids looking to spend some energy this half term can sign up to these excellent one-day netball camps hosted by the county’s elite netball team Surrey Storm. Perfect your passing, shooting and defending with expert tutelage from those in the know.
For more information, visit surreystormnetball.co.uk
WILD WOODLAND CAMP / FEBRUARY 14 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
Get wild and head for Painshill Park this half term for this Wild Woodland Camp. Learn all about bushcraft and spend your days in nature as you explore your surroundings and discover skills for life.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
XTREME ACTIVATE HOLIDAY CAMP / FEBRUARY 14 – 18 / SPECTRUM LEISURE COMPLEX, GUILDFORD
From family days out to week-long holiday camps, let the kids loose at Guildford Spectrum. Enjoy early drop-off and late pick-up times with the Extreme Activate Xtra Camp, where kids get to try out a range of activities including arts and crafts, swimming, ice skating, bowling and more – or simply spend a day out as a family and enjoy the wealth of leisure facilities all under one roof.
For more information, visit guildfordspectrum.co.uk
SHLOMO’S BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS / FEBRUARY 15 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Do your kids love to experiment with sounds from their mouths? World record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo makes mad music with his mouth. Become one of this sonic superhero’s sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music; whether you’re aged 1 or 101, get involved and make your way to Farnham Maltings for an afternoon’s adventure in sound.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
HALF TERM AT THE LIGHTBOX / FEBRUARY 15, 16 + 18 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Ever the givers of creativity in the community, Woking’s museum and gallery space, The Lightbox, have a host of half-term activities for arty kids to get stuck into. From free drop-in sessions to paid-for workshops, give the little ones in your life the license to express themselves artistically this month.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
ED GAMBLE / FEBRUARY 16 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
The excellent Ed Gamble comes to Guildford’s G Live for a night of japes and jolly good times. After a sell-out tour of his house in 2020 (extended into 2021 due to popular demand), Ol’ Broken Pancreas is charged up and ready to flick the switch on another night of attention-seeking. Co-host of the award-winning mega-hit podcast Off Menu with James Acaster, Taskmaster champion, and has his own special Blood Sugar available worldwide on Amazon Prime – get some tickets quick!
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
WILD RANGERS CONSERVATION CLUB / FEBRUARY 16 / NOWER WOOD EDUCATIONAL RESERVE, LEATHERHEAD
Conservation kids unite! If you’ve got some passionate, planet loving, little people in your midst, then make your way to this fantastic Wild Rangers Conservation Club hosted by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. Always a sell-out event, book your space today to avoid disappointment.
For more information, visit surreywildlifetrust.org
GUILDFORD FLAMES VS COVENTRY BLAZE / FEBRUARY 16 / SPECTRUM LEISURE COMPLEX, GUILDFORD
The folks behind the scenes at Guildford Flames will be bringing a family atmosphere to the Spectrum Leisure Complex this month as kids go half price this half term. So grab a hot dog and join in by cheering on your favourite Ice Hockey team in this mid-table clash.
For more information, visit guildfordflames.com
OUTSIDE THE BOX COMEDY CLUB: ZOE LYONS / FEBRUARY 17 / ESHER THEATRE
Showcasing the very best stand-up comics currently working the circuit, join the Outside the Box Comedy Club at their new home for Esher Theatre’s monthly instalment of the funny stuff. Headlining this month’s comedy night is the outstandingly funny Zoe Lyons. So get some tickets and indulge in a much-needed belly laugh.
For more information, visit eshertheatre.com
ROYAL ARTILLERY GOLD CUP DAY / FEBRUARY 17 / SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, ESHER
One of Sandown’s oldest and most prestigious race days, catch a card of seven races with a military twist. First featured back in 1878, the competition has been a mainstay in the fixture calendar since 1921 and features horses that are either serving or have previously served in the Royal Artillery.
For more information, visit thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown
JUSTIN LIVE: THE BIG TOUR / FEBRUARY 17 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
The one and only Justin Fletcher comes to Guildford’s G Live with his Big Tour. This all-singing, all-dancing show will have your kids in stitches as a tonne of slapstick fun is unleashed alongside his well-known songs and characters.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
PLUNDERED! / FEBRUARY 17 / RIVERHOUSE BARN ARTS CENTRE, WALTON ON THAMES
Whilst searching for hidden treasure, a famously selfish pirate captain has left a once beautiful tropical island littered with rubbish and its inhabitants struggling to survive. It’s up to Maggie and Roy to save it. The trouble is… they’re REALLY not friends. Teleported from their school trip at a maritime museum into the centre of a swashbuckling adventure in the Amazon, will they learn to work together, win the race to find the legendary gold – and restore the place to its natural glory? Find out and come dressed as a fearsome member of his crew if ye dare! Arrrrrrr!
For more information, visit riverhousebarn.co.uk
JUNIOR & ALL-STAR BASKETBALL CAMPS / FEBRUARY 17 + 18 / SURREY SPORTS PARK, GUILDFORD
Perfect your lay-up and learn how to pass like a pro at the Surrey Scorchers junior and all-star basketball camps taking place at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. Meet likeminded lovers of basketball and let off some serious steam in training drills and practice matches.
For more information, visit surreyscorchers.co.uk
BIRIYANI & GIN EVENING / FEBRUARY 17 / SILENT POOL DISTILLERS, ALBURY
Taking place at Silent Pool Distillers in the artisan corner of Albury, enjoy the fragrant taste of Biriyani courtesy of Indian food specialists Mandira’s Kitchen while sipping on some of Silent Pool Distillers tasty gins.
For more information, visit mandiraskitchen.com
GAME DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING / FEBRUARY 18 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Love gaming? Fancy creating your own? For ages 7 – 12, kids will work individually to design and program their own 3D video game using a piece of software called Kodu which can then be installed and played on a PC at home. Pretty cool, huh? Sign up today and make the video games of tomorrow.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
MAKE YOUR OWN HELICOPTER MODEL / FEBRUARY 19 / THE GREAT BRITISH WOODSHOP, WEST BYFLEET
For the attention of future toymakers and woodworkers! Head for The Great British Woodshop in West Byfleet this half term and learn how to make your very own helicopter model. Learn new skills and make new friends.
For more information, visit greatbritishwoodshop.co.uk
ETHICAL VEGAN EVENTS & MARKETS / FEBRUARY 19 / WALTON
Ethical Vegan Events will once again be popping up throughout Surrey with their excellent markets. Free to attend, expect to find a host of vegan foodie treats and eats as well as a range of vegan products for you and the home that has been ethically and sustainably produced.
For more information, visit ethicalveganevents.co.uk
SURREY SCORCHERS VS CHESHIRE PHOENIX / FEBRUARY 19 / SURREY SPORTS PARK, GUILDFORD
It’s been a tough season for Coach Creon’s Scorchers. Languishing at the lower end of the table can the team overcome the challenges that high flying Cheshire Phoenix might have in store. Whatever the weather, one thing we do know is that it’s going to get hot out there on court. So, join the carnival atmosphere and head for Surrey Sports Park for an end-to-end ball game.
For more information, visit surreyscorchers.co.uk
Dagmarr’s Kabarett: Vamps of Weimar / FEBRUARY 19 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
“Dagmarr’s Kabarett: Vamps of Weimar” is the new show from singer/performer extraordinaire Hersh Dagmarr and pianist Karen Newby. A night of classic songs in the style of Weimar-Berlin kabarett and a musical celebration of the femme (and homme) fatale archetype as depicted in popular kultur. With songs from Kurt Weill, Edith Piaf, Mischa Spoliansky, Frederich Hollaender, Marlene Dietrich and many more… Get involved and book some tickets pronto!
For more information, visit electric.theatre
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME / FEBRUARY 19 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Ah, the beautiful game. Love it or hate it, it’s everywhere, isn’t it? This laugh-out-loud look at our undying obsession with football celebrates everything from weird match-day rituals to ridiculous armchair punditry, explores the highs and lows of football fandom and may even attempt to explain the offside rule. Delivering a knockout performance, enjoy a ballsy, high-energy show brimming with nostalgia and set to a backdrop of chant-along hits and a buzzing soundtrack. Even if football isn’t your thing, this electric, feel-good show will persuade you of its charms.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
FIND OUT ABOUT FARMERS’ MARKETS THIS FEBRUARY!
LOOKING OUT, LOOKING IN / FEBRUARY 4 – MARCH 6 / DAVIES GILDER GALLERY, NEW HOUSE, GUILDFORD
New House Art Space host their first exhibition, Looking Out, Looking In’ in celebration of the creative hub’s resident artists. The first of many events and exhibitions taking place at the Davies Gilder Gallery, found behind Bridge Street, meet artists and likeminded folks with a penchant for art and find out more about Guildford’s newest creative space.
For more information, visit the boileroom.net/newhouse