Surrey is a South East England county blending historic towns, medieval castles, dense woodlands, and scenic landscapes with strong cultural and transport links.
13 Nov
A morning event exploring J. M. W. Turner’s world and Victorian art through a researcher’s talk, literary readings and discussion, a creative workshop inspired by his seascapes and skies, and an interactive gallery activity connecting Turner with G. F. Watts.
Watts Gallery is an arts and crafts gallery and historic house in Surrey showcasing works of Victorian painter and sculptor George Frederic Watts, with extensive woodland gardens, a historic chapel, craft activities for families, and a tea shop.
13 Dec
A Christmas market featuring stalls run by young makers and creatives selling handcrafted gifts, with a performance of Christmas music by Barnes Concert Band and a hands-on activity to make mini wreaths from natural materials.
27 Oct
A playful African djembe drumming workshop for children aged 2–6, featuring an interactive story, rhythm-making, dancing and animal-inspired movement. The session explores how drums can communicate and introduces children to African drumming and culture.
Morden Hall Park is a large National Trust park in Morden, London, featuring historic buildings including Morden Hall, snuff mills, and a garden centre, set on the River Wandle with extensive parkland, footbridges, and a dog-friendly café.
1 Nov
Join an early-morning walk around RHS Garden Wisley with the RSPB North West Surrey Group to look for and identify the birds in the garden. The walk focuses on autumn birdlife, including winter visitors.
RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey is a renowned horticultural garden offering extensive outdoor garden grounds with world-class plant displays, accompanied by multiple dining options and a garden centre. It provides a rich outdoor experience for visitors seeking to explore diverse flora and enjoy seasonal food offerings.
24 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term event at Eltham Palace and Gardens featuring family activities and entertainment, including interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a fancy-dress competition.
Eltham Palace in southeast London is a historic royal residence featuring a medieval great hall with the third-largest hammerbeam roof in England and an attached Art Deco house from the 1930s. Visitors can explore both the indoor period rooms and outdoor gardens with ruins, making it a unique architectural and historic experience.
26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can take a self-led festive walk around the garden with their dogs, and festively dressed dogs receive a treat.
Standen is an Arts and Crafts house in West Sussex, featuring original Morris & Co. interiors and an extensive Arts and Crafts garden. Visitors can explore the historic house and surrounding gardens managed by the National Trust.
10 Nov
An introductory gardening session with RHS experts covering seasonal tasks for November and December, including pruning, dividing plants, taking cuttings and winter vegetables. The course includes practical activities and an outdoor walk in RHS Garden Wisley.
The River Wey and Godalming Navigations offer a 20-mile navigable waterway in Surrey, featuring historic locks and scenic towpaths managed by the National Trust, with connections to other canals and a visitor centre at Dapdune Wharf showcasing historic barges.
11 Oct, 25 Oct…
A gentle outdoor Qigong session led by Sue Llewellyn, featuring slow movements, mindful breathing and moments of stillness among the trees. Participants will move through the woodland to a glade and viewpoint, with no previous experience required.
Winkworth Arboretum is a National Trust-owned arboretum in Surrey featuring over 1000 species of trees, extensive azalea and rhododendron collections, and landscaped garden lakes across 95 acres of outdoor woodland.
5–6 Dec
Children can listen to Father Christmas tell seasonal stories, meet him for photographs and receive a traditional present. Sessions take place on weekends in December.
Ranger's House is a Grade I listed Georgian mansion in Blackheath, London, adjacent to Greenwich Park, housing the Wernher Collection of fine art and decorative objects from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Visitors can explore its historic architecture and rich art collection inside the mansion, reflecting its history as an official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
A guided forest bathing walk at Winkworth Arboretum led by a trained guide, combining sensory exploration of the woodland with breathwork, meditation and reflection on its wellbeing benefits.
18 Oct–1 Nov
Follow a pumpkin-spotting trail around Hatchlands Park’s parkland, then visit the house to see its Halloween decorations on house open days.
Shalford Mill is an 18th-century historic watermill in Surrey featuring preserved mill machinery and timber-framed architecture, set beside the River Tillingbourne. Visitors can explore both indoor exhibits and outdoor surroundings reflecting its working history and connection with the National Trust.
7 Nov, 5 Dec
A volunteer-led guided walk at Hindhead Commons exploring local plants and the wildlife they support, including insects, birds, reptiles and mammals. The route distance varies according to the walkers.
The Devil's Punch Bowl is a large natural amphitheatre and Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, offering scenic heathland landscape with panoramic views and car parking facilities. It is managed by the National Trust and features walking paths and a café, making it a popular outdoor visitor attraction with natural beauty and wildlife.
1 Dec
Participants will learn willow weaving techniques and make a large Christmas star and tree, with instruction and demonstrations by willow weaver Emma Wetherell. All materials, tea, coffee and a light lunch are provided.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
A Halloween family trail based on the children’s books, following the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill as they search for hidden ghosts around Hatchlands Park. The outdoor trail includes things to see and do along the way and is aimed at pre-schoolers and young children.
Hatchlands Park is a historic red-brick country house with notable Robert Adam interiors and surrounding landscaped gardens in Surrey. It features the world's largest collection of historic keyboard instruments and a rare Cobbe portrait of William Shakespeare, with facilities including a café, shop, and open parkland.
1 Nov
The Morley Consort performs 17th-century music on historical instruments in Ham House’s Long Gallery, alongside the Cabinets Unlocked event. The programme includes music connected to the English Civil War and pieces from Playford’s English Dancing Master.
Turner's House in London is a restored historic house offering guided tours, exhibitions, and accessible grounds reflecting the artist J.M.W. Turner's life and work. Visitors can explore both indoor spaces and the garden, with facilities accommodating mobility issues.
7–9 Oct, 11–16 Oct
An exhibition in the main showrooms at Hatchlands Park explores how the American Declaration of Independence in 1776 affected people connected to the estate. Visitors can view information and displays about the event.
Hatchlands Park is a Georgian country house and expansive 400-acre estate near Guildford, Surrey, offering indoor historic house tours with a notable collection of keyboard instruments and extensive outdoor parkland, gardens, and a natural play area for families. Visitors can enjoy seasonal events, outdoor theatre, cafés, and accessible facilities.
26 Oct
Children aged 5–12 learn about Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos and their Black Power Salute, then make and bake Olympic Gold Cookies to take home.
28 Nov
An adults’ watercolour workshop at Down House where participants will learn watercolour techniques and paint their own festive Christmas cards to take home.
24 Nov, 26 Nov…
Participants make a Christmas wreath using natural greenery, guided by the Eltham Palace gardeners, followed by a festive afternoon tea. The house and gardens are not open during the event.
Petts Wood is a suburban town in south-east London known for its large National Trust-managed woodland and local parks, offering outdoor natural and recreational experiences. It has a historic background with development dating to the 19th and 20th centuries and features notable green spaces for public enjoyment.
28 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can follow a festive trail around the lake, find their elf name, track down Father Christmas’s reindeer and take on elf fitness training and other Christmas challenges.
The Homewood is a striking early 20th-century Modernist country villa near Esher, Surrey, designed by architect Patrick Gwynne. Open for pre-booked guided tours of its house and gardens from April to October, this unique property offers visitors a chance to explore architectural history alongside landscaped gardens in a private residence setting.
6 Nov, 4 Dec
Watts Tots offers monthly sessions for young children, with age-based activities including stories, songs, sensory play, art hunts and hands-on creative projects. The November session explores fireworks through art and sensory play, while December's session focuses on seasonal crafts and stories.
Loseley Park’s Walled Garden in Guildford offers a summer garden experience with diverse themed sections including a rose garden, white garden, and organic vegetable garden, set within two and a half acres of pathways. The garden has parking, refreshments, and plant sales available but only allows assistance dogs.
16–20 Nov, 23–27 Nov…
A Christmas lunch at the Potting Shed Café, with a choice of starters, turkey or vegan mains, desserts, a hot drink and a mince pie.
17 Oct–1 Nov
An October half-term event at RHS Garden Wisley invites visitors to explore a spooky plants trail and discover the secrets of plants, with additional activities also offered.
18 Oct, 15 Nov
A guide leads a 10km circular hike around Box Hill, highlighting notable features and less-visited parts of the area. The moderate-to-strenuous walk includes climbs, descents and a break, with opportunities to ask questions and learn about the Surrey Hills.
22 Oct
A guided walk around Belvedere Mount at Claremont Landscape Garden, exploring the building from a different perspective and looking closely at the trees in the area.
Bookham Commons is a large area of common land in Surrey featuring woodland, grassland, and scrub habitats. It is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its diverse plant and animal communities and is owned by the National Trust, offering public footpaths and bridleways for exploration outdoors.
5–6 Dec
Children can join Father Christmas for seasonal storytelling, meet him and take photographs, and receive a traditional present. One accompanying adult is permitted per child.
Marble Hill House is an early 18th-century Neo-Palladian villa in Twickenham, London, famous for its architectural design and historical associations with British royalty. Visitors can explore its richly decorated interiors and extensive parklands offering leisure and sports facilities, with a restored Georgian ambiance.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–5 Jan 2027
Follow a Christmas trail around the garden, helping the Merry Mice family put right their festive mischief. The trail includes sing-along moments and family games, and is aimed at children aged 3–8.
Hammerwood Park is a historic country house in Sussex designed by architect B H Latrobe, open for guided tours during summer which explore its rich architectural and social history. Visitors can enjoy both the restored interiors and the surrounding parkland gardens, with facilities including a café and pet-friendly outdoor areas.
13 Oct, 20 Oct
A beginner-friendly salsa class followed by social dancing, led by the Salsa Got Soul team. Sessions are suitable for complete beginners and improver-level dancers, and no partner or prior experience is needed.
27–31 Oct
A family-friendly Halloween guided walk at Hindhead Commons explores local spooky stories and myths, as well as the creepy-crawly creatures that live there.
4 Nov
A one-day photography workshop at Winkworth Arboretum led by photographer Eddie Hyde. Participants learn how to use their digital camera and explore what makes a good photograph.
Witley Common is a National Trust woodland and heathland site in Surrey featuring Bronze Age archaeological sites, diverse wildlife habitats, and a nature centre with educational activities for children. It offers a mix of outdoor natural exploration and indoor exhibits at the Witley Centre.
8–25 Oct (another 16 days)
An exhibition explores J.M.W. Turner’s painting *Margate (?), from the Sea* and the history of his bequest to the nation. Visitors can see the painting alongside archival documents, letters and works by artists influenced by Turner.
Ham House is a well-preserved 17th-century Stuart era house in London known for its rare survival of original interiors, lavishly furnished state apartments, and extensive formal gardens along the River Thames. Visitors can explore the historic interiors, art collections, and enjoy the restored gardens, with facilities including a café. It is also a popular location for film and television productions.
14 Nov, 5 Dec
An evening stargazing event in the meadow led by Guildford Astronomical Society. Attendees can learn about visible constellations and planets and use telescopes to observe celestial bodies.
Munstead Wood is an 11-acre garden in Surrey surrounding an Arts and Crafts house, famously associated with Gertrude Jekyll's influential garden design and collaboration with architect Edwin Lutyens. Currently closed for renovation, the site holds international significance in horticulture and the Arts and Crafts movement.
23 Oct, 20 Nov…
A one-day photography workshop at Polesden Lacey, led by photographer Eddie Hyde. Participants learn to get the best from their digital camera and explore what makes a good photograph.
Polesden Lacey is an Edwardian era country house and estate in Surrey, offering visitors a blend of indoor historical exhibits and outdoor estate walks, gardens, and woodland. Managed by the National Trust, it features fine art collections and hosts seasonal events including open-air performances.
6 Nov, 4 Dec
Join a volunteer-led walk at Marble Hill to learn about its historic landscape and how it has changed over time.
East Sheen Common is a spacious urban park in London featuring woodland, sports facilities including a cricket field, tennis courts, and a bowling green, as well as a newly added woodland play area and nature trail for children.
9 Oct
Kate Cotterill of She Grows Veg introduces heirloom vegetables, explaining what makes these heritage varieties special and how to grow them. Attendees can bring questions for an interactive vegetable-gardening Q&A.
12 Dec
An LGBTQ+ festive evening at Hatchlands Park, featuring a visit to the Christmas-decorated house followed by performances in the Music Room, including music from the Surrey Rainbow Choir and a talk by historian Sacha Coward.
West Horsley Place is a Grade I listed medieval manor house and estate in Surrey, rich in history with royal visits including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. It remains largely untouched for decades and offers tours and commercial events.
13 Oct, 17 Oct…
An early-morning, self-led photography session at Winkworth Arboretum, offering time to photograph the autumn colours before the arboretum opens to the public.
Hydon's Ball and Heath is a scenic outdoor venue in Surrey with heathland and woodland offering walking, bird watching, and historical significance as a memorial to Octavia Hill. Visitors can enjoy peaceful nature trails and diverse wildlife in an accessible but uneven terrain natural setting.
24 Oct
Diwali at Marble Hill celebrates the Festival of Lights with illuminations, dancers, dhol drummers, giant puppets and other activities. Attendees can also take part in a lantern-making workshop, booked for a selected timeslot.
Syon House is a historic Tudor mansion remodelled by Robert Adam, featuring stunning interiors and set in extensive gardens and parkland with a domed conservatory. Visitors can explore both the house and outdoor gardens with guided tours and enjoy facilities including a cafe and picnic areas.
4 Nov
An online talk with RHS researcher Dr. Tijana Blanusa about how urban gardens and hedges can improve city environments, drawing on RHS research into planting and ecosystem benefits. Attendees can submit questions during the talk.
Painshill Park is a large award-winning 18th century landscape garden in Surrey featuring winding paths, mystical follies including the Crystal Grotto, and beautiful parkland. It offers accessible routes, family-friendly facilities, a café, and seasonal food, making it ideal for a full-day outdoor visit.
30 Nov–3 Dec
An adult Christmas wreath-making workshop at Marble Hill, where the gardens team will guide participants in making a wreath from natural materials and seasonal foliage.
Syon Park is a partner garden featuring a large and beautiful Great Conservatory glasshouse with diverse plant collections, formal gardens, water meadows grazed by cows, and notable trees. It offers a combination of indoor and outdoor experiences with refreshments available and free access for RHS members on specified days.
18 Nov
A half-day woodland photography workshop led by photographer Eddie Hyde at Winkworth Arboretum. Participants will practise working with natural light and composing woodland scenes using their own digital camera.
Hydon's Ball is a notable hill on Hydon Heath in Surrey, offering outdoor natural experiences with memorials and scenic walking paths managed by the National Trust. It features native and non-native plant species and serves as a local cultural gathering spot.
14 Nov
A beginner workshop at RHS Garden Wisley introduces the principles of composting garden and household waste. Attendees learn how to make fertile compost for their garden.
23 Oct
A cut-flower-growing workshop covering suitable flower varieties, sowing and growing techniques, and how to cut and condition flowers for longer-lasting displays.
13 Oct, 20 Oct
This online series features talks by historians, artists, designers and conservation specialists exploring wallpaper, its design history, craftsmanship and production, and the legacy of Morris & Co. Attendees can book individual live Zoom talks, which are also recorded for later viewing.
3 Dec
Students aged 11 and over can take part in a guided science workshop exploring biomes, plant adaptations, plant life cycles and habitats. The session is aimed at home-educated students studying KS3 and KS4 science and geography.
Clandon Park House is an early 18th-century Palladian country house near Guildford, Surrey, owned by the National Trust. Though significantly damaged by fire in 2015, it is a site of historical and architectural importance with restoration plans underway. Visitors can explore its extensive parkland, gardens, and the rare Maori meeting house, along with an associated regimental museum.
21–22 Nov
A weekend at Down House marking the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s *On the Origin of Species*. The programme includes talks and tours across both days.
Down House is the historic home of naturalist Charles Darwin where he developed his theory of evolution. Visitors can explore the restored Georgian house with original furnishings, Darwin's greenhouse, and extensive gardens including the Sandwalk woodland path. The site offers both indoor historical exhibits and outdoor natural landscapes.
17 Oct, 31 Oct
A beginner-level gardening course covering plant types, planting and care, propagation, cultivation, pruning and lawn care. Across two sessions, attendees take part in lecture-based teaching and indoor and outdoor practical activities.
5–6 Dec, 12–13 Dec…
Visitors can explore Standen House in the evening, with rooms lit and decorated for Christmas, and hear choirs perform by the courtyard Christmas tree. The shop and café are also open during the event.
23 Oct, 20 Nov…
A volunteer heritage guide leads a one-hour walk exploring the history of Claremont Landscape Garden. Walks take place on selected Fridays.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A digital folklore adventure in which groups use the Stranger Folk app to follow magical tasks, find mythical creatures and decide their fate while exploring Morden Hall Park. It is designed for children aged 7–11 to play with imaginative adults.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a large resort destination in Greater London featuring a theme park with various rides, a zoo with over 1,000 animals, a Sea Life Centre, and two themed hotels. It offers immersive family-friendly experiences across multiple themed lands including Wild Woods, Land of the Dragons, and World of Jumanji, with events throughout the year.
8–11 Oct (another 2 days)
A seasonal event at RHS Garden Wisley featuring a food and drink market, grow-your-own inspiration, talks, cookery demonstrations and live music.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Christmas displays inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas decorate the house showrooms, while families can follow a festive trail around the grounds with games and activities.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Visitors can view model railway layouts, try operating them, and learn how they are built. Attendees can also bring OO/HO or N locomotives to run, and browse railway and transport books in the second-hand bookshop.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
A home education open day at RHS Garden Wisley for home-educating groups and families, with planting, seed exploration, herbarium sessions, talks, mini-beast activities, pond dipping, habitat mapping, leaf activities and access to library collections. Most activities are drop-in, while herbarium sessions require booking.
21 Nov–23 Dec
The Sussex Guild’s Christmas selling exhibition offers visitors a chance to browse and shop for gifts at Standen House and Garden.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Children aged 7 and over can take part in a 90-minute workshop exploring how plants and pollinators interact, with activities matching pollinators to flowers, using UV light to discover patterns and identifying foods that depend on pollinators.
28 Oct
Children aged 3–6 and their accompanying adults can take part in storytelling, rhythm, movement and a simple craft activity inspired by Mami Wata, the West African water spirit. Participants will make a greetings card to take home.
5–6 Dec, 12–13 Dec…
Children aged up to 8 can visit Father Christmas in his grotto, write him a note and receive a wrapped gift selected by the elves. This relaxed-hour session is intended to offer a calmer atmosphere for families with additional needs.
11 Nov
An RHS horticulture session covering seasonal gardening tasks for November and December, including dividing plants, pruning, taking cuttings and winter vegetables. Participants can try some practical tasks and take a walk outside in the garden.
28 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can see Christmas decorations inside Hatchlands Park house and follow a family trail around the parkland inspired by Tom Fletcher’s Christmasaurus series.
15–16 Oct
A two-day garden design drawing course with designer Andrew Wilson. Participants will practise improving hand-drawn garden plans, rendering colour and character, and using one- and two-point perspective to create three-dimensional drawings.
10 Sep–11 Oct (another 2 days)
Past Made Present is an exhibition of projects and prototypes by emerging designers from Kingston University’s MA Product & Furniture Design programme. Inspired by Ham House’s historic interiors and gardens, the work explores accessibility, materials and storytelling, with displays in the house and garden.
9 Oct, 13 Nov
Volunteer guides lead a walk around Marble Hill Park, introducing its varied tree collection and explaining work to help the trees thrive.
Coombe Conduit is an historic Tudor waterworks site in Kingston upon Thames, open on select days, showcasing a rare surviving structure of a system that supplied water to Hampton Court Palace. The outdoor grounds are uneven and not wheelchair accessible, with no on-site facilities.
8 Oct–9 Dec (another 61 days)
An exhibition exploring William Morris and Morris & Co.’s wallpaper designs, craftsmanship and influence on Victorian and modern interiors. Visitors can view original wallpapers, a film and a contemporary artwork, and try a hands-on pattern-tracing activity.
17 Nov
A Heritage Archaeology expert volunteer leads a walk around Hatchlands Park, exploring the history of the house and estate and how its occupants shaped the property.
Tunsgate is a Grade II listed neoclassical building in Guildford, originally a corn exchange, now serving as the entrance to a shopping centre featuring a historic mosaic floor.
Guildford is a historic town in Surrey, England, featuring a walkable town centre with a castle, cathedral, and arts venues. It offers rich cultural experiences, river navigation, cycling routes, and markets, served by rail and local public transport.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A weekly sale of seasonal produce grown by Marble Hill’s volunteer gardeners, including fresh vegetables and cut flowers. Visitors can browse and buy produce at the north-east corner of Marble Hill Park.
Osterley Park is a Georgian era country estate in west London featuring a historic house with notable neoclassical interiors by Robert Adam and extensive parkland open to visitors. The National Trust manages the property, which includes a café, formal gardens, and woodland footpaths suitable for outdoor walks and cultural exploration.
17 Nov
An outdoor course led by RHS Garden Wisley’s Fruit Team demonstrating winter pruning techniques for apple and pear trees, including formative pruning and work on established and neglected trees.
8 Oct
A hands-on workshop led by designer Christine Leech, where participants use lightweight copper sheets and simple embossing techniques to make hanging ornaments inspired by William Morris’s Strawberry Thief design. The ornaments can be hung individually or arranged as a garland.
17 Oct–2 Nov
Follow a half-term spotting trail at Box Hill, searching the trees for bats and discovering bat facts along the way. Pick up a free trail sheet from the Shepherd’s Hut.
Box Hill in Surrey is a renowned natural landmark featuring chalk downland, diverse wildlife including rare orchids and butterflies, historic military forts, and scenic trails for walking and cycling. It offers panoramic views, a National Trust visitors' centre with a café, and family-friendly outdoor activities.
17 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can view more than 20 decorative cabinets and writing desks from Ham House’s collection opened for display, including examples of marquetry, lacquer and veneers. From 19 to 23 October, volunteer guides may also give short pop-up talks in the Long Gallery.
16–17 Oct
A nature guide introduces the lives and ecological role of spiders before leading a gentle evening walk to look for them around Morden Hall Park. The event is aimed at curious children and adults.
20 Oct
A monthly, gentle-paced guided sensory walk through the gardens at Ham House, designed for people living with dementia and those who support or care for them. Volunteer guides lead the group to explore seasonal highlights in nature.
Grove House is a Grade II* Georgian mansion set in fifteen acres of parkland with original Georgian and Victorian features, including a large lake, mausoleum, grotto, and sham bridge. The house is closed to the public but available for private hire, while the gardens and grounds are open to visitors free of charge during daylight hours.
25 Nov
A science-focused workshop for home-educated children and families explores plants, including their lifecycles, habitats and adaptations. Led by an Education Officer, the workshop takes place almost entirely outdoors.
20 Oct
A beginner-level course exploring fungi and their role in garden ecosystems. Participants take a guided fungi walk around Wisley and practise identifying fungi in hands-on activities.
23 Sep, 30 Sep…
A pre-school session for children and their grown-ups featuring stories, rhymes and nature-based crafts.
9 Jun, 7 Jul…
A Heritage Volunteer leads a one-hour guided walk around Claremont Landscape Garden, exploring a different tree-related subject each month. Attendees can learn about the garden’s trees and see areas of the grounds along the way.
Bookham Commons is a tranquil natural site of ancient commons, ponds, and woodlands in Surrey offering wildlife spotting, walking trails, and birdwatching. It is a public outdoor space with accessibility features and dog-friendly areas.
24 Oct, 29 Oct
An after-hours Halloween tour of Eltham Palace explores its history, spooky associations and ghost stories, alongside the history of Halloween and supernatural beliefs.
Charlton House & Gardens is a historic Jacobean manor house in London featuring original architectural elements, diverse interiors, and gardens. It offers an accessible visit with facilities like a cafe and parkland, reflecting 400 years of history including wartime use and notable owners.
24 Oct
Participants can use cardboard shapes, paint, pens and accessories to make a Halloween mask or another imaginative design, and build a marble maze.
3 Nov
A beginner-level course on pruning woody plants, covering routine and formative pruning, renovating overgrown shrubs, and choosing suitable methods for different plants. It also includes a guided garden walk to see pruning principles applied in the garden.
21 Oct
Join an RHS Wisley Garden Manager for an outdoor walk and talk exploring the garden’s autumn display, the plants that are in season and what to look out for in the coming months.
29 Oct
Children aged 5 and older and teenagers can make a Halloween-themed mosaic using soft-edged tiles, with guidance and materials provided. Participants take their mosaic home, along with a kit and instructions for grouting it later.
15 Oct, 22 Oct…
Gardener Mike and his team give talks in the Production Garden at Polesden Lacey about the flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs grown there, and the seasonal work involved in maintaining it.
4 Dec
A hands-on workshop exploring Victorian Christmas craft traditions. Participants will make decorations and gifts, including tin decorations, pomanders, beeswax candles, gilded nuts and Christmas crackers.
16 Oct, 20 Nov
A music session for children aged up to four and their adults at Dapdune Wharf. Participants explore songs, rhymes, musical instruments and simple movement games, with a story to finish.
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
Silent Space is a quiet place in Polesden Lacey’s Upper Sunken Garden where visitors can pause, relax and take in the surrounding nature and changing seasons. It runs on Friday afternoons.
Abinger Roughs and Netley Park offer extensive woodland and grassland with marked trails for walking and cycling, a natural play area, and opportunities for wildlife spotting. The area features ancient oaks and has historical significance linked to Charles Darwin. Netley Park's woodland grounds provide scenic views over the Tillingbourne Valley, making it a great outdoor destination for families and nature lovers.
24 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can explore Ham House’s decorative cabinets through sensory activities, including listening to music and smelling spices, and look for cabinet keys. The event also includes activities and toys in the Garden Room, seasonal garden exploration, and a 17th-century musical performance on 1 November.
Osterley offers one of London's last country estates featuring an 18th-century house surrounded by extensive parkland, formal gardens with rare plants, and historic garden structures.
20 Nov
A beginner-level gardening course about soil texture and chemical balance, with guidance on improving soil for healthy plants. Attendees will bring a soil sample from their garden for testing.
5–6 Dec
A family-oriented festive event at Eltham Palace and Gardens, with seasonal activities to enjoy while exploring the site. Visitors can also book separately to meet Father Christmas.
Camden Place is a historic house in Chislehurst where Napoleon III lived in exile. Visitors can explore the impressive architectural evolution of the house, learn about its imperial history through tours, and also enjoy the golf clubhouse setting. The venue offers both indoor and outdoor experiences, accessible facilities, and a café on site.
28 Nov–24 Dec, 27 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors follow a Christmas trail around Morden Hall Park, finding six missing pieces of Father Christmas’s sleigh before collecting a gift from the Garden Centre. The trail also includes an opportunity to take a photo with the sleigh in the Stableyard.
28 Nov
A beginner-level workshop at RHS Garden Wisley covering ways to collect rainwater, retain water in the garden and water plants efficiently. Participants will learn practical approaches to water conservation in gardening.
13 Oct, 20 Oct…
A weekly adult knitting group where crafters work on their own projects alongside one another and enjoy a knit and natter at the Coach House Cafe.
Chiswick House is a Neo-Palladian villa in London with historic gardens designed by William Kent, featuring notable architecture and a significant cultural heritage, now maintained by English Heritage and open to visitors.
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween-themed trail around the garden, with spooky features including creepy crows and Standen bats. Visitors can explore the Spookiful Bothy and take part in creative activities in the Witchard den.
6 Nov, 4 Dec
Watts Tots is a monthly creative session for young children, with age-specific activities including stories, sensory play, art exploration and hands-on making. The November session features fireworks-inspired art and play, followed by festive crafts and keepsakes in December.
Dapdune Wharf is a historic former industrial wharf and boat-building yard on the Wey and Godalming Navigations in Guildford, now managed by the National Trust. Visitors can explore a complex of boatyard buildings, view rare Wey barges, enjoy interactive displays, and take boat trips on the navigation.
5–6 Dec
A Christmas fair at Eltham Palace featuring local makers’ work in the Great Hall, a wreath trail in the gardens, marshmallow toasting and selected free garden tours.
Red House in Bexleyheath, London is a seminal Arts and Crafts building designed by William Morris and Philip Webb, featuring medieval-inspired architecture and original Pre-Raphaelite art. It serves as a historic house museum managed by the National Trust, showcasing Morris' pioneering design ethos and craftsmanship.
29 Oct
Visitors can choose a pumpkin and carve it using the tools provided, creating a decoration to take home for Halloween. The activity takes place during the October half-term at Morden Hall Park’s Stableyard.
20–25 Oct, 27 Oct–1 Nov
Families can explore the gallery, house and woodland through a Halloween-themed trail, potion-making and monster-crafting activities, self-led sketching and crafts, and spooky storytelling on select weekdays.
18 Nov
RHS horticultural advisor James Lawrence discusses sustainable planting combinations, including schemes designed for different conditions and environmental benefits. The talk takes place live online and includes an opportunity to submit questions.
2 Dec
An online evening talk with RHS Plant Health expert Dr Helen Latham exploring plant pathology, including the team’s research into honey fungus. Attendees can submit questions during the talk.
River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf in Guildford offer a historic river navigation experience with an award-winning visitor centre, boat trips, riverside tea-room, and a second-hand bookshop. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, wildlife, and family-friendly activities including an adventure playground.
21 Oct
A member of the gardens team leads a guided tour of Marble Hill’s restored eighteenth-century gardens, highlighting seasonal features and explaining the gardens’ care and history.
10 Oct–8 Nov (next week)
A digital folklore adventure at Winkworth Arboretum for children aged 7–12 and adults to play together. Using the Stranger Folk app, teams follow magical prompts and complete tasks to find the creatures and decide their fate.
14 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors follow a Christmas trail through Winkworth Arboretum to find woodland gnome characters, complete playful challenges, collect embossings and discover stories inspired by Scandinavian folklore and winter traditions.
Oakhurst Cottage is a small Grade II listed historic cottage in Hambledon, Surrey, restored to represent a Victorian era labourer's home with preserved period furnishings and a garden featuring Victorian plants. Visitors can tour the cottage by appointment in small groups.
25 Oct, 22 Nov…
A free, informal 10K trail run follows a circular route through the Polesden Lacey Estate and Ranmore Common. The route is suitable for all abilities and starts from the main visitor car park.
20 Mar–11 Apr, 22 May–6 Jun…
A preview of Claremont Landscape Garden’s 2027 programme, including family-themed garden trails, a sculpture exhibition, outdoor theatre performances and a dog-themed celebration day.
Claremont Landscape Garden is a historic 18th-century English landscape garden in Surrey, featuring original design by notable landscape gardeners and landmarks like the Belvedere Tower and an amphitheatre. It offers an outdoor experience with scenic lakes, historic structures, and gardens.
5–6 Dec, 12–13 Dec…
Children aged up to 8 can visit Father Christmas in his grotto, write him a note and receive a wrapped gift selected by the elves. The experience includes festive music and takes place in a covered area of the Garden Centre.
24–25 Oct
Families can learn about earthworms and Charles Darwin’s experiments on their behaviour, including taking part in hands-on worm sampling in the gardens at Down House.
28–29 Oct
Children can rotate between making stations at this Halloween-themed craft workshop and create several seasonal crafts to take home. Sessions run on 28 and 29 October, with three session times available each day.
2–6 Nov, 9–13 Nov…
Visitors can join a 50-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Ham House to see conservation work, explore its historic rooms and learn how the house and its objects are cared for.
12 Oct, 19 Oct…
Park Explorers is a term-time outdoor group for children aged 2–5 and their parents or carers. Sessions explore the natural world at Morden Hall Park through led activities and stories, with a different theme each week.
15 Dec
A gentle, guided sensory walk exploring festive highlights in the ground floor of Ham House and its gardens. The walk is designed for people living with dementia and those who support or care for them.
28 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Explore Ham House’s Christmas decorations while following a robin’s story through the rooms, with festive displays, songs and family activities including dressing up and letter writing. Visitors can also take a winter stroll in the gardens.
Fulham Palace is a historic house beside the Thames in London, offering visitors a blend of indoor museum experiences with historic rooms and outdoor exploration through extensive botanic gardens. It features Tudor to Victorian architecture, family-friendly activities, and food facilities.
8 Oct
Bernardi Music Group’s Stradivarius Piano Trio presents an evening exploring the influences on and legacy of Ralph Vaughan Williams, with music by Ravel, Ina Boyle and Vaughan Williams. The event also includes a glass of bubbles and a slice of cake.
Leith Hill is the highest summit of the Greensand Ridge in Surrey, England, featuring an 18th-century Gothic tower with panoramic views, surrounded by extensive woodland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It offers natural beauty, historical interest, and excellent outdoor walking opportunities.
9 Oct, 6 Nov…
Wharf Weenies is an outdoor session for children aged up to four, featuring songs, stories, play in the natural environment, mud-kitchen activities, natural-resource crafts and wildlife spotting.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Dr Michelle Asantewa gives a talk and reflection on the film *Sinners*, exploring African spirituality, ancestry, ritual and cultural memory. The event does not include a screening of the film.
7 Oct
A hands-on workshop introducing metal embossing techniques and copper preparation, with participants making decorative hanging ornaments inspired by William Morris fruit designs. Materials are provided, and the finished ornaments can be taken home.
4–8 Nov
Browse contemporary craft and jewellery and silversmithing fairs at RHS Hilltop, featuring work by designer-makers, jewellers and silversmiths.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can follow an interactive garden trail based on Rachel Bright’s children’s book, helping squirrels Cyril and Bruce work together to find the last nut of the season. The trail includes games and takes place along the pathway around the lake.
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
A family trail at Polesden Lacey inspired by Moominvalley, where visitors can explore the garden and encounter characters from the Moomin stories.
The Homewood is a Grade II listed modernist house near Esher, Surrey, designed by architect Patrick Gwynne and preserved by the National Trust. Visitors can explore its distinctive modern architecture, flexible living spaces, original furnishings and artworks, as well as its terrace, garden with ponds and swimming pool. The house offers a unique insight into mid-20th century English modernist design combined with a harmonious integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.
31 Oct, 14 Nov…
A volunteer-led walk at Witley Common explores the plants found on the common and how they support local insects, birds, reptiles and mammals. The walk is generally flat and covers around 2km.
Witley and Milford Commons in Surrey offers a rich outdoor experience with diverse heathland and woodland, natural play areas for children, and scenic walking trails. Visitors can enjoy guided nature walks and discover the area's diverse wildlife and historic connections, all in a well-accessible countryside setting.
29 Oct
Young people aged 11–18 can spend a day volunteering with the Rangers at Morden Hall Park, helping care for the park and its nature. Lunch is provided.
28 Oct, 30–31 Oct
Participants search the grounds of Marble Hill for a pumpkin, then paint it in a creative workshop with guidance from Drawn Heritage. The pumpkin and painting materials are provided, and the finished pumpkin can be taken home.
2 Nov, 17 Nov…
Join volunteer walk leaders for leisurely, scenic walks around Winkworth and the surrounding countryside. The walks last approximately one to one and a half hours and offer a chance to enjoy nature and meet other local people.
Vann is a Grade 2* listed five-acre English heritage garden surrounding a historic 16th-century family home, featuring a variety of garden rooms including the Water Garden by Gertrude Jekyll, offering an outdoor horticultural experience with accessible parking and refreshments for group visits.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Participants will make an autumn wreath using a willow base and dried flowers and foliage grown at Wisley, with guidance from florist Emily Luker of Paper and Sprig.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–5 Jan 2027
Visitors can explore Standen House decorated for Christmas, with festive displays inspired by the Beale family’s storytelling and the house’s Arts and Crafts interiors.