WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN SURREY?
Welcome back to another instalment of your favourite weekly guide to what’s on in Surrey. Half way through the month and there’s still so much to do. Open water swimming, cycling in the Surrey Hills, outdoor cinema, the annual Guildford Skate Jam and lots of drop-in workshops for kids and big kids alike.
MIDSUMMER MERRIMENTS: TALES FROM HAMPTON COURT PALACE / AUGUST 6 – 21 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Join Bottom and the Mechanicals this summer as they make their long-awaited return to Hampton Court Palace – the original home of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – to host a half-hour extravaganza of sketches, games and interactive family fun! With performances taking place at 11.30, 13.30 and 15.30.
For more information, visit hrp.org.uk
OPEN WATER SWIMMING / TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS + SUNDAYS / LIQUID LEISURE, SHEPPERTON
Love nature? Love to swim outdoors? Brace yourself for a dip in the lake at Liquid Leisure in Shepperton for a spot of open water swimming. Take to the lanes in their brand-new lake pool or head for a lap around the entire aquatic arena – the choice is yours. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday early evenings; sign up online and enjoy the enlivening experience of some cold-water exposure.
For more information, visit liquidleiure.com
DROP IN AND DRAW / AUGUST 16, 23 + 30 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Drop in and Draw at Watts Gallery Artists’ Village this summer. Taking place every Tuesday morning throughout August and open to all ages, collect your materials and get supported by artists as you start the day with a sketch or three.
For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk
ACTIVITY THURSDAYS / AUGUST 18 + 25 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM, TILFORD
With various activities to choose from, head back in time to the Rural Life Living Museum for a fun day out for the whole family. From air-propelled rockets to watching weaving demonstrations, spend the day outdoors and live the good old life.
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
BDOVELO SUMMER RIDE / AUGUST 18 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
Mix business with pleasure and join this BDOVELO Summer Ride at Denbies Wine Estate this August. Celebrating ‘Women in Cycling’ meet like-minded lovers of fitness and business networking on an informal and relaxed ride. Finish off with a child sparkling wine at the end.
For more information, visit iconiccyclingevents.co.uk
WILD AT ART SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB / AUGUST 18 – 25 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Love art? Get messy and head to this excellent Wild at Art Summer Holiday Club. Aimed at kids 5 – 11 and taking place from 10 am – 2 pm, enjoy a day of messy arts and crafts that will include painting, collage, drawing and experimenting with materials.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
THE BRICK PEOPLE / AUGUST 19 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Love LEGO? Of course, you do! For creative brick building kids and their big kids (parents), head to Cranleigh Arts Centre this August and meet The Brick People. Surround yourselves with thousands of bricks and check out this display and open build event featuring official LEGO creations and custom build models made by some uber LEGO fans.
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
OUTDOOR CINEMA: ROMEO + JULIET, CYRANO, ENCANTO / AUGUST 19 – 21 / PETWORTH HOUSE
‘ Tis the season to enjoy some classic cinema on the giant outdoor screen of your local Outdoor Cinema. This August, gorgeous Petworth House plays host to three nights of films. So bring a picnic blanket, get comfy and watch your chosen movie under a blanket of stars. Enjoy Baz Luhrmann’s stunning adaptation of Romeo + Juliet, the famous love triangle of Cyrano and Disney’s hit musical adventure, Encanto.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk
WEYFEST / AUGUST 19 – 21 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM, TILFORD
Weyfest returns to the Rural Life Centre in Tilford for a mammoth weekend of music and entertainment. Held at the Rural Life Centre near Farnham, this year’s acts include the likes of the del Amitri, Billy Ocean, 10cc, Cast, Scouting For Girls, Stereo MCs and much more.
For more information, visit weyfest.co.uk
DRAG BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH / AUGUST 20 / THE FALLEN ANGEL @ THE ANGEL HOTEL, GUILDFORD
For a unique middle-of-the-day entertainment experience, head for Guildford’s newest cabaret bar, The Fallen Angel, housed at the historic Angel Gate Hotel for this Drag Bottomless Brunch event. That’s right, be entertained by some of the best drag acts on the circuit whilst you munch on your butcher’s sausage and sip on a bottomless serving of some super tasty cocktails. Book your table online.
For more information, visit guildfordfringe.com
SKATE JAM / AUGUST 21 / STOKE PARK, GUILDFORD
The Guilford Skate Jam is back this summer! If you think you’ve got the tricks to beat your fellow skaters, make your way to Guildford’s favourite independent skate shop, Decade and pick up a registration form to enter the jam for free. With music provided by DJs from community radio station Kane FM, expect maximum vibes this summer at Guildford Skate Park.
For more information, visit decadestore.co.uk
THE SECRET GARDEN / AUGUST 20 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Wander over to West Horsley Place this August and discover a magical adventure in this outdoor edition of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic tale, The Secret Garden. Join Mary on her journey in this family-friendly dance adaptation of the best-selling novel. Featuring an accomplished cast of dancers and musicians – expect to make some magical memories this summer.
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
MUSIC IN THE WALLED GARDEN / AUGUST 21 / LOSELEY PARK
Raising money in aid of local charity GUTS – fighting bowel cancer, head for Loseley Park this August. Bring a rug and picnic, and enjoy some classical sounds in the stunningly pretty Walled Garden of Loseley Park.
For more information, visit loseleypark.co.uk
PADDLEBOARDING / GODALMING WHARF
Suffice to say; paddle boarding is pretty popular. But what if you don’t have a paddle board? The fine folk of Roar Outdoor offer 1-2-1 coaching sessions, group sessions and unguided paddle board hire from their base over at Godalming Wharf. So sign up online and enjoy a particularly lovely paddle along the River Wey this summer.
For more information, visit roaroutdoor.co.uk