The southern county of Surrey might not seem like an idyllic weekend getaway at first, but it really does have it all. It’s not far from central London, the transport connections are great, and if you want to go to the seaside, the southern coast is only an hour or so away.
Where to go
Surrey is well connected: major motorways such as the M25 and M3 run through it, so it’s easy to get to by car. It’s also straightforward to get into central London by rail from the major towns in the area.
This means you have a great pick of places to go to whether you have a car or not. There are many historical sites within the county, including Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215. There are many historic houses, palaces, gardens, and parks that you can visit as well.
If you’re interested is more recent events that made history, take a trip to Box Hill. This was part of the road cycling route for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and it still offers cyclists a chance to tackle part of the route themselves on their own rides or as part of organised events. You can explore the sites without wheels, though, and stick to the many walking routes the area has to offer.
What to eat and drink
There are plenty of options to pick from, no matter what your dietary requirements. If you’re going to Surrey to enjoy a bit of the countryside, there’s no better option than to go to a traditional pub for a meal – maybe even for your Sunday roast before having to head home.
Some of the best pubs in Surrey will have a wide range of food available to you, depending on your tastes and diet. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, there will be options on the menu you can choose from (that aren’t just salads!). If you’re not sure what you want or would like to know more about ingredients, just ask the staff, and they will be happy to help.
Some pubs may have exclusive or limited beers or other drinks on offer. If you like to sample a real ale on your trip, have a look at the pubs in the area local to where you’re staying to see what’s on offer.
Further afield
If you’re in Surrey for a longer trip, you might want to spend some of your time exploring some of the places near the southern coast of England. Woking is only an 80-minute drive and features its famous pier, the Royal Pavilion and British Airways i360 with its bird’s-eye view of the area to explore.
Portsmouth’s sea heritage might tempt you to another part of the south coast. It is here that you can see historical ships such as HMS Victory at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. If you go by car, you can stop off in the South Downs and look at the stunning views it has to offer.
