WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN SURREY?
For things to do this week in Surrey, look no further than your essential guide to what’s good in your wider neighbourhood. From night swimming and horse racing, to garden bees and beer festivals. Take a peek at our pick of the best events this week.
NIGHTSWIMMING / MAY 20 / BUCKLAND PARK LAGOON, BETCHWORTH
Get nocturnal and head to Buckland Park for a night swim with the Surrey Hills Adventure Company. Open to confident swimmers, get a fresh perspective and enjoy the delights of swimming in the dark. With sessions taking place later in the month, make sure you bring a head torch and book your space online.
For more information, visit the shac.co.uk
GUILDFORD OPERA COMPANY PRESENT: AIDA / MAY 22, 24 + 25 / HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, GUILDFORD
Guildford Opera’s production of Verdi’s most well-known opera, Aida, is sung in English and accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Using evocative lighting , Guildford’s Holy Trinity Church is transformed into the centre of the Lotus Cult, where the tragic love story between Aida and Radames unfolds.
For more information, visit guildfordopera.com
AN INTRODUCTION TO GARDEN BEES / MAY 23 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
Taking place at RHS Garden Wisley, be introduced to some of the charming bumblebees and fascinating solitary bees that bring our gardens alive and pollinate our plants. Learn about their nesting needs and the power plants that make a difference. With a little understanding of the needs of your garden bees you can make powerful plant and gardening choices to transform your plot into a true bee-friendly, pollinator paradise. Please note, this event does not focus on honeybees.
For more information, visit rhs.org.uk
BRIGADIER GERARD EVENING / MAY 23 / SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, ESHER
Affectionately known as London’s Night At The Races, Brigadier Gerard Evening is the evening meeting that you don’t want to miss. Taking its place at the top of the pile as Britain’s richest evening meeting, it promises to deliver another memorable year this year. Right in heart of spring and with summer in sight, this evening has seen many a champion set foot out on the hallowed turf, and many a celebration off it! Get your tickets now and experience horsepower in full force.
For more information, visit thejockeyclub.co.uk
JACOB & DRINKWATER / MAY 23 / MILL STUDIO, GUILDFORD
UK alt-folk duo Jacob & Drinkwater have been called “stand out new folk” by BBC6 Music and “inventive and thrilling” by R2 Magazine. Featured numerous times on BBC Radio 2, BBC6 Music and lauded by their musical peers as one of the most accomplished acts touring the circuit today. Catch them live at Guildford’s Mill Studio this May.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
MOCK TUDOR COMEDY / MAY 24 / RIVERHOUSE BARN ARTS CENTRE
For your fill of the silly stuff this month, make your way to Walton’s Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre and get ready for a giggle or two at the monthly Mock Tudor Comedy Club. Enjoy sets from Tom Deacon, Daisy Earl and more to be announced.
For more information, visit riverhousebarn.co.uk
MYSTERY JETS / MAY 24 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
An eclectic English indie group that blends conventional pop with kaleidoscopic folk, indie rock, and post-punk, Mystery Jets emerged in the early 2000s. Catch some classics as they play an intimate gig at The Boileroom in Guildford.
For more information, visit theboileroom.net
COMEDY LADDER / MAY 24 / CRANLEIGH ARTS
Welcome to Cranleigh’s newest and funniest spot – a brand new comedy club that will leave you in stitches! If you’re looking for a night of laughter and good times, look no further. This month, catch Esther Manito, Harriet Kemsley and Abandoman.
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
BEACON HILL BEER FESTIVAL / MAY 24 – 25 / HINDHEAD ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
A little gem among Surrey’s beerfests and one of the longest running in the county, the 20th annual Beacon Hill Beer festival just keeps getting better. Hosted by the Hindhead Royal British Legion, the festival plays over Friday evening, and Saturday from 12pm, and features dozens of carefully selected craft beers and ales from local heroes and many from further afield. There’ll be great food available and stellar live bands,
For more information, visit hindheadrbl.co.uk
SURREY STORM VS LEEDS RHINOS / MAY 25 / SURREY SPORTS PARK, GUILDFORD
Get prepared for action, thrills and the sights of top-flight Super League Netball as Surrey Storm host Leeds Rhinos in our 2024 campaign. Get to the game early and attend our fan zone where you can find all things Storm happening! Merchandise, confectionary and lots of fun and games. Before the game you can enjoy some food and drink located at the on-site Sports Bar ‘Bench’ where you can eat from the game day menu! Or, enjoy a coffee and a cake from our ‘Pitchside’ cafe.
For more information, visit surreystormnetball.co.uk
FANNY GALORE’S BIGGEST BINGO BASH! / MAY 25 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Ready for Fanny’s Biggest Bingo Party Ever! An evening that will be sure to blow your mind – Fanny is bringing all her shows together for an explosive event. Joined by her very cheeky butlers DICK and RODGER, her sassy dancers and her glamorous assistant, Fanny will be filling the night with music, singing, dancing, show games, and of course, BINGO!
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford/
THE FOX 62K / MAY 25 – 26 / BURY FIELDS, GODALMING
The Fox Ultra is back for a 62km circular ultra-run route around Surrey. Organised by Run Through Trails, enjoy this scenic concourse in the Surrey countryside this May. If 62km sounds too much, then a 20km and 41km routes are available.
For more information, visit runthroughtrails.com
DON’T PANIC! WE CAN SAVE THE PLANET / MAY 25 / BELLERBY STUDIO, G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Based around his latest book Don’t Panic! We CAN Save The Planet is a unique eco comedy stand up show in which children’s comedian and author James Campbell inspires children to do something about the climate crisis, pollution and ducks with swords. Ideal for kids aged 6 – 11 and perfect for anyone who wants to swap being an Eco Worrier for being an Eco Warrior.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford/
BUGS AND BUTTERFLIES TRAIL / MAY 25 – JUNE 23 / PAINSHILL, COBHAM
Ready for an adventure? Become a nature explorer and find all bugs and butterflies hidden around Painshill this May half-term and beyond. Pick up a trail sheet and unearth all the bugs and butterflies you can find in the landscape.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk