Free Surrey Travel Guide & Mobile App

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Surrey
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Explore Surrey for wooded commons, North Downs walks, historic towns, country houses, gardens, vineyards and easy access from London.

Surrey lies immediately south-west of London, yet its landscape changes quickly from commuter towns and historic county seats to wooded commons, chalk escarpments and quiet lanes. The North Downs cross the county from east to west, while the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers much of its most characteristic countryside. This is a region for combining heritage and outdoor recreation rather than treating it simply as a suburban extension of the capital.
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Guildford, the county's principal town, has a medieval high street, a castle keep and a strong cultural life centred on theatres, galleries and the University of Surrey. Woking is known for contemporary arts and its association with H. G. Wells, while Reigate and Dorking provide gateways to the North Downs and the wooded Weald. Farnham, on Surrey's western edge, is distinguished by its castle, craft traditions and attractive Georgian town centre. Each town has a different relationship with the surrounding countryside.
Surrey's most memorable landscapes are close to some of its best-known visitor sites. Box Hill rises above the Mole Valley with far-reaching views and a network of footpaths, while Leith Hill, the county's highest point, offers woodland walks and a distinctive tower. The Devil's Punch Bowl near Hindhead is a dramatic heathland amphitheatre shaped by erosion. These places support walking, cycling, climbing and nature observation, although access and ground conditions vary with the season.
Historic houses and gardens add another layer to the region. Loseley Park near Guildford retains an important Tudor great hall and an estate landscape, while Polesden Lacey near Dorking combines an Edwardian country-house interior with formal gardens and extensive downland. RHS Garden Wisley, near Woking, is one of Britain's major horticultural gardens. Surrey also has deep connections with the arts, motoring and science, from the sculpture and pottery traditions of Farnham to Brooklands' motor-racing heritage in Weybridge.
Food and drink reflect both the county's rural fringes and its proximity to London. Farm shops, village pubs, independent cafés and market-town restaurants make use of local produce, while vineyards and breweries have become increasingly visible in the Surrey Hills and surrounding countryside. A practical itinerary normally works best with two or three bases: towns are well connected by rail, but the most secluded commons, estates and downland viewpoints are easier to reach by car or bicycle.

When is the best time to visit Surrey?

Best: June–August · 22–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January860
February950
March1255
April1550
May1945
June (best)2240
July (best)2445
August (best)2450
September2055
October1560
November1065
December870

Getting to and around Surrey

How to get there

Surrey is reached most easily from London by rail, with frequent main-line routes serving Guildford, Woking, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking and Farnham, although service patterns vary. Heathrow Airport lies north of the county and is a major international gateway; Gatwick Airport is outside Surrey, to the south-east in West Sussex, and is convenient for eastern and central parts of the county. London terminals such as Waterloo and Victoria provide important rail connections. The M25, M3, M23 and M4 give road access, but traffic can be heavy at commuting times.

Transportation

Rail is practical between the main towns, while local buses connect many residential areas and market centres but are less useful for scattered estates, hilltops and rural attractions. A car provides greater flexibility for the Surrey Hills, Leith Hill, country houses and vineyards, though narrow lanes, limited parking and busy roads require care. Cycling is popular on the North Downs and country lanes, but routes can be hilly. Walking works particularly well on the county's commons, downs and long-distance paths; check access arrangements for privately managed estates before setting out.

Top city travel guides in Surrey

The cities of Surrey, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Surrey

Surrey's attractions combine accessible countryside with a substantial heritage estate tradition. The Surrey Hills provide the main outdoor focus, with walking and cycling around Box Hill, Leith Hill and the Devil's Punch Bowl, as well as heathland and woodland landscapes on the county's commons. The National Trust manages several important sites, including Polesden Lacey near Dorking, where a country-house collection and landscaped grounds overlook the Mole Valley. Loseley Park, close to Guildford, offers a different perspective on the county's historic estates. RHS Garden Wisley near Woking is a major destination for horticulture, with extensive planted landscapes and seasonal displays. Town-based attractions include Guildford Castle, Farnham Castle and museums exploring local life, art and industry. Brooklands Museum in Weybridge interprets the site's pioneering motor-racing and aviation history, while the sculpture and craft traditions around Farnham add a creative dimension. River walks, canal-side paths and vineyard visits broaden the choice, although rural sites are dispersed and often require advance planning.

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Best landmarks in Surrey

The North Downs are Surrey's defining natural landmark, forming a long chalk ridge whose viewpoints and escarpments shape the county's identity. Box Hill is the most recognised section, rising above the Mole Valley with steep slopes, woodland and broad views. Leith Hill, the county's highest point, is marked by Leith Hill Tower, an eighteenth-century folly that has become a familiar feature of the landscape. Near Hindhead, the Devil's Punch Bowl is a large heathland hollow surrounded by ridges and walking routes. Guildford Castle's surviving keep recalls the town's medieval importance, while Farnham Castle represents the long ecclesiastical and political history of western Surrey. At Brooklands, the surviving banking and track landscape has international significance in motoring history. Smaller but valuable landmarks include the historic centre of Farnham, the River Wey navigation structures and the Tudor great hall at Loseley Park, each showing a different relationship between architecture, transport, landownership and the county's evolving economy.

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Explore Surrey on the map

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Best restaurants in Surrey

Surrey's dining scene reflects its position between London and the countryside. Market towns such as Guildford, Farnham, Dorking, Reigate and Godalming offer independent cafés, modern restaurants, traditional pubs and bakery counters, while rural districts are associated with village inns and estate-adjacent dining. Local produce commonly includes farm vegetables, apples, cheeses, meats and baked goods, with farm shops and regular producers' markets providing a useful way to explore the county's food economy. The Surrey Hills and surrounding slopes have a growing vineyard presence, and English sparkling wine is increasingly encountered alongside locally brewed beers and ciders. Menus are not always distinctively regional, but they often combine British seasonal cooking with international influences brought by the county's diverse population. Coastal seafood is not a local speciality, as Surrey is inland; restaurants serving it are drawing on national supply chains rather than a county fishing tradition.

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Best bars in Surrey

Evening life in Surrey is concentrated in its larger towns rather than spread across the countryside. Guildford has the broadest mix of pubs, wine bars, contemporary cocktail venues, live music and late-night entertainment, supported by its student population and theatre-going audience. Woking, Reigate, Farnham and Kingston-adjacent parts of the county offer smaller selections of pubs, restaurants and bars, while village nightlife generally centres on traditional pubs and occasional live music rather than clubs. Historic inns and riverside establishments are common settings for a quieter evening, and breweries or taprooms may feature local beer where available. Travellers should expect venues to vary considerably between towns and rural areas, with last transport connections an important consideration after nights out. Surrey's evening culture is therefore best approached through food, conversation, performance and local hospitality rather than assuming a major club scene throughout the county.

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Best nightclubs in Surrey

Evening life in Surrey is concentrated in its larger towns rather than spread across the countryside. Guildford has the broadest mix of pubs, wine bars, contemporary cocktail venues, live music and late-night entertainment, supported by its student population and theatre-going audience. Woking, Reigate, Farnham and Kingston-adjacent parts of the county offer smaller selections of pubs, restaurants and bars, while village nightlife generally centres on traditional pubs and occasional live music rather than clubs. Historic inns and riverside establishments are common settings for a quieter evening, and breweries or taprooms may feature local beer where available. Travellers should expect venues to vary considerably between towns and rural areas, with last transport connections an important consideration after nights out. Surrey's evening culture is therefore best approached through food, conversation, performance and local hospitality rather than assuming a major club scene throughout the county.

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Best shops in Surrey

Shopping in Surrey is strongest in its established market towns and larger urban centres. Guildford combines a historic high street and pedestrianised retail areas with department stores, independent boutiques, cafés and specialist food shops, while Farnham is particularly associated with galleries, craft studios, antiques, design-led shops and its long-standing identity as a centre for pottery and creative education. Dorking and Reigate provide smaller high streets with independent retailers, booksellers, delicatessens and antique businesses. Woking has a more modern town-centre retail environment, useful for everyday shopping and larger commercial selections. Across the rural parts of the county, farm shops and estate shops sell local produce, preserves, wine, beer, cheeses and seasonal goods, making them more representative souvenirs than generic merchandise. Markets and fairs change by town and date, so visitors should check local arrangements before making a special journey.

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Surrey essentials

Currency and Payment
Surrey uses the pound sterling, GBP, as part of the United Kingdom. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in towns, attractions, hotels, pubs and restaurants, and cash machines are common in larger settlements. Carrying a small amount of cash remains useful at occasional rural stalls, smaller community events or places with limited mobile reception. Travellers should check overseas card fees and choose whether to pay in pounds rather than accepting an unfavourable dynamic currency conversion.
Safety
Surrey is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary precautions are sensible in busy stations, town centres and car parks. Outdoor safety matters more in the countryside: chalk paths can become slippery, heathland may be uneven, and wooded areas can have fallen branches or poor mobile reception. Cyclists and drivers should take care on narrow lanes and bends, while walkers should follow waymarked routes and keep dogs under control around livestock. In warm, dry periods observe local advice on heath and woodland fires and do not leave barbecues or discarded glass.
Emergency Situations
The United Kingdom's national emergency number, 999, connects callers to police, fire and ambulance services; 112 also works. The non-emergency police number is 101, and NHS 111 provides urgent health advice when the situation is not life-threatening. On countryside walks, give a precise location, path name, nearby landmark or what3words reference if available, because some downland and heath areas have limited reception. For immediate danger on inland waterways or near water, contact emergency services and follow local safety instructions.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked paths where requested, close gates, avoid disturbing livestock and take litter home, particularly on commons and protected downland. In historic houses, gardens and museums follow photography and barrier rules, and ask before photographing people or private ceremonies. Queueing, moderate public behaviour and considerate use of public transport are normal British expectations rather than special Surrey customs. Tipping in restaurants is discretionary, with around ten per cent customary for good table service when a service charge has not already been added; it is not generally expected in pubs for drinks ordered at the bar.
Local Tips
Check the geography before planning a day: Box Hill, Leith Hill, Dorking and the western Surrey Hills are not interchangeable destinations and public transport links between them can be limited. Guildford and Farnham are useful for combining town heritage with nearby countryside, while Woking suits visitors interested in modern culture, gardens and Brooklands excursions. Spring brings woodland flowers and garden displays, whereas autumn is particularly atmospheric on the county's commons. Farm shops and vineyard visits are best treated as planned stops rather than spontaneous roadside diversions.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHello[həˈloʊ]
GoodbyeGoodbye[ɡʊdˈbaɪ]
YesYes[jɛs]
NoNo[noʊ]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You're welcome[pliːz/ jʊr ˈwɛlkəm]
Thank youThank you[θæŋk ju]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/Sorry[ɪkˈskjus mi/ˈsɔri]
How are you?How are you?[haʊ ɑr ju]
Fine. And you?Fine. And you?[faɪn. ənd ju]
Do you speak English?Do you speak English?[du jʊ spiːk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understandI don't understand[aɪ doʊnt ˌʌndərˈstænd]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseI'd like to see the menu, please[aɪd laɪk tə si ðə ˈmɛnju, pliz]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[aɪ doʊnt iːt miːt]
Cheers!Cheers![tʃɪrz]
I would like to pay, pleaseI would like to pay, please[aɪ wʊd laɪk tə peɪ, pliz]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![hɛlp]
Go away!Go away![ɡoʊ əˈweɪ]
Call the Police!Call the Police![kɔl ðə pəˈlis]
Call a doctor!Call a doctor![kɔl ə ˈdɑktər]
I'm lostI'm lost[aɪm lɔst]
I'm illI'm ill[aɪm ɪl]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I'd like to buy...[aɪd laɪk tə baɪ...]
I'm just lookingI'm just looking[aɪm dʒʌst ˈlʊkɪŋ]
How much is it?How much is it?[haʊ mʌtʃ ɪz ɪt]
That's too expensiveThat's too expensive[ðæts tuː ɪkˈspɛnsɪv]
Can you lower the price?Can you lower the price?[kæn ju ˈloʊər ðə praɪs]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[wɑt taɪm ɪz ɪt]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[ɪts wʌn əˈklɑk]
Half past (10)Half past (10)[hæf pæst (10)]
MorningMorning[ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
AfternoonAfternoon[ˌæftərˈnun]
EveningEvening[ˈivnɪŋ]
YesterdayYesterday[ˈjɛstərdeɪ]
TodayToday[təˈdeɪ]
TomorrowTomorrow[təˈmɔroʊ]
11[wʌn]
22[tu]
33[θri]
44[fɔr]
55[faɪv]
66[sɪks]
77[sɛvən]
88[eɪt]
99[naɪn]
1010[tɛn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's a/the...?[wɛrz ə/ðə...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[wɑts ðə əˈdrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[kæn ju ʃoʊ mi (ɒn ðə mæp)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[wɛn's ðə nɛkst (bʌs)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[ə ˈtɪkɪt (tə ....)]

History of Surrey

Prehistoric Surrey and the North Downs

Surrey's chalk downs, heaths and river valleys have been occupied since prehistoric times. Bronze Age barrows, earthworks and ancient trackways survive in scattered parts of the county, while the elevated North Downs offered defensible positions and clear routes across southern England. The landscape was not an untouched wilderness: woodland clearance, grazing and cultivation gradually created the mixture of commons, fields and wooded ridges that remains characteristic today. Archaeological evidence is especially important because it reveals a long relationship between communities and the county's varied geology, from chalk escarpments to sandy heathland.

Roman Roads and Settlements

Roman control brought new roads and administrative connections to the area, including routes crossing the North Downs and linking settlements around the Thames and southern coast. The settlement at Staines, now in neighbouring Surrey's historic context but outside the present county boundary, illustrates the wider Roman network; within modern Surrey, evidence of Roman occupation includes roads, villas and industrial activity. Guildford's position beside the River Wey also benefited from its location within this broader system. Roman influence did not erase existing communities, but it altered trade, land use and communications across the region.

Medieval Guildford and the County Landscape

After the Norman Conquest, Guildford became an important royal and administrative centre. Guildford Castle, founded soon after 1066 and later developed in stone, formed part of a network of fortifications supporting royal authority in southern England. Medieval churches, manors and market settlements also shaped places such as Farnham, Reigate and Woking. The wool trade, agriculture and woodland resources supported local economies, while the River Wey provided a natural corridor. Many of Surrey's modern towns still reflect this medieval pattern of market centres, parish settlements and estates.

Farnham Castle and Tudor Surrey

Farnham Castle was rebuilt and enlarged over centuries by the bishops of Winchester, whose administrative influence made western Surrey an important ecclesiastical and commercial area. Tudor prosperity is also visible in surviving timber-framed buildings and country houses, including the great hall at Loseley Park near Guildford. The county's proximity to London and the royal court brought landowners, officials and wealthy families into Surrey, accelerating the development of substantial estates. These estates shaped parks, woodland and agricultural land, many elements of which remain visible in the modern countryside.

The River Wey, Canals and Industrial Change

The River Wey became navigable between Weybridge and Guildford in the seventeenth century, linking the county to the Thames and improving the movement of timber, grain and other goods. The Wey and Arun Canal later extended the waterway network southwards, though it was never as commercially successful as some canal systems and is now being restored in sections. Water transport helped introduce new industries and markets, while mills and small manufacturing enterprises grew along the river. The waterways remain an important part of Surrey's industrial and recreational heritage.

Railways, Commuting and the Modern County

Nineteenth-century railway construction transformed Surrey's relationship with London. Lines through places such as Woking, Guildford, Reigate and Dorking encouraged commuting, suburban growth and the development of new civic institutions. Towns that had previously depended mainly on local agriculture and trade acquired faster links to the capital, while estates and commons came under increasing pressure from development. The county's present identity—part metropolitan fringe, part rural landscape—owes much to this transition. Railways also made Surrey's countryside more accessible to day visitors, a pattern that continues today.

Motoring, Science and Cultural Life in the Twentieth Century

Surrey became associated with several twentieth-century developments that reached beyond its county boundaries. Brooklands in Weybridge opened in 1907 as the world's first purpose-built motor-racing circuit and later became important in aircraft manufacture. The county also attracted researchers, artists, writers and performers, benefiting from its proximity to London and its combination of open land and established institutions. H. G. Wells lived in Woking, whose Martian Tripod has become a modern cultural reference point. These connections add industry, literature and popular culture to Surrey's older agricultural and aristocratic history.

Surrey in Photos

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Evendo Travel Guide to Surrey

Discover Surrey with Evendo, a 100% free travel guide app offering comprehensive details on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan your perfect trip today!

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Surrey
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking of hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Surrey like a local with Evendo, the ultimate app-based travel guide. Discover top attractions, book experiences, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Surrey, all for free.

  • Comprehensive history of Surrey and travel essentials
  • Tons of local advice to enhance your visit
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • 'Near Me' feature to discover nearby points of interest
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases
  • Coverage of over 7,000 destinations worldwide

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel guide to Surrey, United Kingdom. Whether you're exploring the historic Guildford Castle, taking a serene walk through the stunning RHS Garden Wisley, or indulging in fine dining at The Clock House, Evendo has got you covered. Our app offers detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Surrey.

With Evendo, planning your trip becomes effortless. Each location comes with rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details. Imagine having all the essential details at your fingertips, making it easy to organize and maximize your Surrey adventure. Looking for the perfect place to dine? Check out our recommendations for top restaurants like The Ivy Cobham Brasserie and The Anchor.

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Our app features a comprehensive history of Surrey, travel essentials, and tons of local advice to ensure you make the most of your visit. With easy navigation, a 'Near Me' feature, and curated local tips, you'll feel like a true local wherever you go. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free, with no in-app purchases or additional costs. Plus, Evendo covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide, so your travel adventures don't have to stop at Surrey.

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