The Surrey Travel Guide looks at Surrey, sometimes referred to as the ‘stockbroker belt’. This affluent home county boasts attractive towns and villages with leafy suburbs and some wonderful scenery to enjoy. The county has a number of towns and villages that make for an interesting visit, each has its own history, character and lifestyle.
ADVERTISEMENTSurrey GuideOverview and AttractionsSurrey HotelsSurrey MapSurrey WeatherLow Cost FlightsOverview and AttractionsRichmond is an elegant cosmopolitan town of cafes and boutiques and well known Richmond Park. Historically Kingston was once the place where the kings of England were crowned. Modern day Kingston is known for its great marketplace and variety of shopping opportunities. Further in to Surrey Camberley has a number of shops in the shopping complex. Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find the renowned Surrey leafiness is everywhere even in the town centres. It does give the feeling of being in England’s green and pleasant land and creates a nice atmosphere to the region.
The historic town of Guildford is a favourite among visitors with many places of interest. Clandon Park is a stately home that has been renovated and refurbishes, it is located a few miles from Guildford and is open from April to October. It presents a rare example of Palladian architecture, the House boasts the stunning Marble Hall, one of the finest examples of its type in Europe. The Gardens surround the house and are well maintained, the home can be hired for corporate functions and weddings etc. The house and its grounds display a fine collection of antiquities from all over the world, drawing influences from the UK and New Zealand among others. For more information please see:
Clandon ParkGuildford Castle began as a Norman motte and bailey castle, built after 1066. It was the only royal castle in Surrey, thus became a centre for administration and justice. After its heyday the castle fell in to ruin and whilst attempts were made to convert the castle to a private residence, these were in vein. The castle was then turned in to a park. The castle is in a park meaning visitors can see the castle and enjoy picnic in the park, there are currently no eating facilities on site so it is best to get food from Guildford town centre that is only a short distance away. For further information please see:
Guildford CastleWisley, home to the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens, is brimming with rare species, it is truly a gardener’s delight. The knowledgeable staff can help answer any questions you may have on gardening, you can of course just go for a stroll around the garden and enjoy the delights that are on show. Look out for the green houses that house fine specimens such as the extremely popular collections of fuchsia and orchids. For further information please see:
RHS Garden WisleyThe Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park is set in ten acres of parkland covered with 200 carefully created sculptures which are for sale. The parkland has a water garden and there are three lakes in the vicinity, the tranquil yet dramatic scene awaits visitors in this park. The adjoining Frensham Common is home to some rare habitat that supports endangered plants and animals such as Woodlarks and Sand Lizards. For further information please see:
The Pride of the Valley Sculpture ParkDorking is a vibrant market town situated in the middle of the Surrey hills. The history of the town goes back to Roman times. The famous West Street has a great selection of antique shops, which attract visitors from far and wide and is a just for antique enthusiasts. Visitors to Dorking can also visit the Denbies Wine Estate set in over 250 acres, it is among the largest privately owned vineyards in Europe. Wine connoisseurs can enjoy the estate tours that include wine tasting and there is a choice of restaurants to dine in with great views to enjoy. There is a guesthouse and garden centre on site, the venue also caters for wedding, conferences and functions. For more information please see:
Denbies Wine EstateWeybridge is situated in the heart of Surrey’s stockbroker belt and as one might imagine has a distinctly upmarket feel to it. This quiet town has a relaxed atmosphere and has the Brooklands Museum situated on the outskirts of the town. A great site known for being the birthplace of British motor sports, the track was built back in 1907, and for many years speed records were set here. Brooklands is also the famous site where the first plane in England was flown back in 1908, thus the museum has lots of historical information and exhibits on both motor racing and aviation. It is a must for motoring and aviation fans. For further information please see:
Brooklands MuseumKingston Upon Thames is an affluent, thriving market town where its pedestrianised areas are filled with stores catering for fashion and a variety of boutiques add to this traditional market stalls and you have a shopper’s paradise. There are examples of Tudor architecture here in some of the buildings, the traditional is mixed with the contemporary here. There is a large bustling night scene here, with many bars, clubs, restaurants closely packed in the centre of the town. The town is also a student town with the University prominent. The young fashionable student feel can be found here along with the traditional character to give a town with an eclectic mix. A trip over the Kingston Bridge takes you to the grandeur of Hampton Court Palace. The palace thought by some as the best palace in the UK has stunning grounds and they take you along the river, creating a picture perfect image in the summer when many visitors flock to the palace. There are exhibitions so see and plenty to enjoy at the palace. For more information please see:
Hampton Court PalaceRichmond Park is set in nearly 2500 acres and is the largest Royal Park in London and provides home for over 600 deer. The landscape the park consists of is made up of woodlands, gardens, ponds and hills. The park offers a peaceful and quiet retreat for visitors. The Park is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The park has a range of facilities that include a playground at Petersham Gate and educational facilities for those with special needs at Holly Lodge. Herds of red and fallow deer roam freely within the park and make for a great spectacle. The park represents an important refuge for many types of wildlife, including rabbits, stag beetles and other insects, numerous ancient trees, and many types of fungi. Having a picnic is popular here particularly on a lovely summer’s day where you can enjoy your surroundings to their fullest. For more information please see:
Richmond ParkEl Desperados Mexican Grill & Cantina offers authentic Mexican food in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere, which won’t leave you disappointed. Located close to Sutton in Surrey, you may wish to consider this friendly restaurant when looking for a place to eat. El Desperados offers a wide array of exotic Mexican dishes, they pride themselves on freshly prepared food on their premises. The Party Menu gives you the opportunity to try all the various Mexican specialties, perfect for novices to Mexican cuisine. There are also a range of cocktails to try here. For further information please see:
El Desperado Mexican RestaurantBar Med in Guildford is a bar where you can enjoy a drink and a spot to eat in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. A popular place to meet up with friends at lunch times, in the evenings there are DJs playing a variety of tunes along with many cocktails to choose from making it a good place to go for evening drinks. There are themed nights catering for different tastes such as Disco nigh and R’n’B nights. There is also plenty to eat here with the Mediterranean inspired menu that has tapas, paella and filled breads along with fajitas and various salads and desserts. For further information please see:
Bar MedAccommodation in Surrey is available to suit all budgets catering for those looking for cheap deals to those wishing to stay in more luxurious hotels. One thing to remember is to ensure your hotel is not too far away from where you need to get to, the travelling time each day to and from your hotel can take up valuable time. It is recommended to do your research and ensure your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and offers the facilities you are looking for to avoid disappointment.
There are many fine budget, mid range and exclusive hotels available in Surrey, for further information please see:Selection of Surrey HotelsFor a full list of Surrey Hotels please see:Surrey HotelsThe Surrey travel guide explored the leafy county of Surrey, just a stone’s throw from London but with the delights one might expect to see in more rural areas. Great scenery and leafy towns and suburbs characterise this affluent county. With its charming towns and villages there is plenty of character and visitors have plenty of places to explore including the wide open spaces of Richmond Park, the tradition and history at Hampton Court Palace and modern towns such as Kingston.
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