Ongoing until Saturday 30 September: Guildford Walkfest, Guildford
This September sees the return of Guildford Walkfest, the annual celebration of walking in and around our beautiful borough.
With at least one walk organised every day in September, this year's festival celebrates our lovely Borough, with the focus firmly on the positive benefits of walking for mental and physical health for everyone. This is an opportunity to socialise with others and join in with the local community.
All the walks are free and all ages and abilities have been considered. Many of the walks are family and dog friendly, short and long. Booking is essential and details of every walk are available on the Walkfest website.
Take a look at the Guildford Walkfest Blog page for regular interesting and walking-related posts.
October
Ongoing until Monday 16 October: Little Seeds Forest School (block booking), Gatton Park
Explore the woodlands through organised play including mud, fire, dens, woodland crafts, pond dipping and lots of fun! Book for either the morning (10am to 11.45am) or the afternoon (12.45pm to 2.30pm) session. The discounted cost for the block of 7 sessions (4 September to 16 October inclusive) is £56. Individual sessions are also available at £10 each. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended for children aged 2 to 5 years. Book online at the Gatton Park Little Seeds Forest School Block Booking webpage.
Monday 2, 9 and 16 October: Little Seeds Forest School, Gatton Park
Explore the woodlands through organised play including mud, fire, dens, woodland crafts, pond dipping and lots of fun! Book for either the morning (10am to 11.45am) or the afternoon (12.45pm to 2.30pm) session. £10 per session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended for children aged 2 to 5 years. Booking essential online at the Gatton Park Little Seeds Forest School Block Booking webpage.
Friday 6, 13 and 20 October: Trails and Tales, Gatton Park
Listen to a story with a craft activity, then explore a trail following clues around the garden. Ideal for children aged 2 to 4 years. 10 to 11.30am or 1.00 to 2.30pm. £7.50 per child. Booking essential online at the Gatton Park what's on webpage.
Saturday 14 October: Hocus Pocus Outdoor Cinema Spooktacular at Polesden Lacey
Everyone loves this witchy classic but imagine watching it in the great outdoors on a beautiful, autumnal evening! All you have to do is buy a ticket, pack your picnic, camping chairs and blanket, and join us outside. Book your tickets on the Adventure Cinema Hocus Pocus webpage.
Saturday 21 October: Surrey Hedgerow Festival, West Horsley Place
Designed as a celebration of the rich cultural and natural history of these 'forgotten heroes' of our landscape, Surrey Hedgerow Festival will include folk, jazz and rock music from local performers, educational talks, guided nature walks and professional storytelling. Expect food and refreshments from a variety of local vendors too and art displays. Visit the Surrey Wildlife Trust Surrey Hedgerow Festival webpage to book your tickets.
Monday 23 October: Half Term Hedgehog Workshop, Newlands Corner Discovery Centre
Join local author, Lucy Reynolds, for a hedgehog themed workshop and interactive storytime where she will read her 'Hedgehogs Don't Live in the City!' story book. Lucy's interactive story session will help to inspire a love of the natural world through charming narrative and a gentle focus on how we can help our endangered prickly friends. Storytime will be followed by a fun filled craft workshop before heading outdoors to join the Surrey Hills Society who will be on hand to show how they monitor and track this rare, distinctive, and endangered creature. The workshop is aimed at young readers aged 3-9 years. Find out more on the what's on in countryside web page.
Monday 23 to Friday 27 October: Free Cycling training, Various locations
Free Cycle Training for secondary school age students and their parents during half term
Surrey County Council are providing free cycle training for adults and families with secondary school age children across Surrey. Parents/carers with children (age 11+) will be coached by qualified cycle instructors on how to ride on roads with moderate traffic, giving them the skills and confidence to ride as a family or individually. Courses are typically two hours long and are running from locations across Surrey. There are also courses aimed at adults who would like an introduction to riding on roads.
For more information and to book your place, please visit the Surrey Cycle Training website.
Monday 23 October: Forest Fun, Gatton Park
Explore Cedar Wood, make woodland crafts and enjoy a snack around the fire. For children aged 2+ years. Bookings available 10am to 12pm or 1.30pm to 3.30pm. £10 per child, accompanying adults free. Booking essential online at Gatton Park what's on webpage.
Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 October: Room on the broom
Listen to the story of "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson with a craft activity, then explore a trail around the garden. Another final craft can be completed in the cabin or taken away. Ideal for children aged 2 to 4 years. 10am to 11.30am or 1.30pm to 3pm. £8.50 per child. Booking essential online at Gatton Park what's on event webpage.
Thursday 26 October: Autumn Colours Natural Art, Gatton Park
Using natural materials from around the park to make amazing masterpieces. Ideal for children aged 4 to 7 years. 10am to 11.30am. £8.50 per child. Book online at Gatton Park what's on webpage.
Sunday 29 October: Open Day, Halloween Wizards and Witches, Gatton Park
Get scary with Halloween activities and a spooky trail around the grounds of Gatton Park. Ideal for younger children. Themed refreshments available to buy. Gardens open 12pm to 5pm. Book your child's spot online at the Gatton Park what's on webpage. £6 adults, £3 children (payment on the day £8 for adults subject to availability).
Monday 30 October to Monday 11 December: Little Seeds Forest School block booking, Gatton Park
Explore the woodlands through organised play including mud, fire, dens, woodland crafts, pond dipping and lots of fun! Book for either the morning (10am to 11.45am) or the afternoon (12.45pm to 2.30pm) session. The discounted cost for the block of 7 sessions is £56 (individual sessions are also available at £10 each). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended for children aged 2 to 5 years. Booking online at the Gatton Park Little Seeds Forest School Block Booking webpage.
Countryside
Visiting Surrey's countryside
We own more than 6,500 acres of Surrey's wonderful countryside available for you to explore and enjoy. From Newlands Corner and Box Hill, to Chobham Common and the Basingstoke Canal, there's something for everyone. Visit the visitor information on countryside sites web page or more information.
Ongoing throughout October: National Trust events in Surrey
From exhibitions and crafts to walks and trails, there's lots going on at National Trust properties across Surrey. Find out more on the national trust web page.
Ongoing until October: Basingstoke Canal boat trips, Basingstoke Canal
The Basingstoke Canal Society runs two trips boats, one based in Odiham, Hampshire and one based right here in Surrey, in Woking town centre.
The John Pinkerton II which operates from Odiham hosts up to 50 guests and the Kitty, operating from The Town Wharf in Woking, up to 12 guests.
Public trips run on weekdays and weekends so are perfect for something to do over the summer holidays! If you're looking for an adult evening, there are also themed trips, including Cream Teas, Murder Mysteries or even a Thai Dinner cruise!
All tickets are available to purchase in advance online or for regular trips you might be lucky enough to get a spot on the day.
For more information visit the Basingstoke Canal Society web page.
Walks and runs
Every Saturday and Sunday, Parkrun, locations across Surrey
Parkruns are free, weekly, community events all around the world. Saturday morning events are five km and take place in parks and open spaces. On Sunday mornings, there are two kilometre junior parkruns for children aged four to 14. Find your nearest parkrun using the parkrun events map website.
Every first Friday of the month: Wellbeing walk, Runnymede
All weathers, all welcome! No need to book, simply just join for a relaxing walk and a chat. There are two walks which alternate each month, walk two is on 7 October:
Walk 1: Easy 20 minutes round trip walk. Meet at 2pm at the Gogmore Farm Park car park area, Curfew Bell Road, Chertsey, KT16 9JW. This route is wheelchair accessible.
Walk 2: Intermediate one hour walk. Meet at 2pm outside the Castle Inn, Brox Road, Ottershaw, KT16 0LW.
Led by the Social Prescribing team from Crouch Oak Family Practice Chertsey Health Centre and Ottershaw Surgery. For more information call Dawn 07818 110467 or Gemma 07503 626227.
Healthy families
Various dates on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: free healthy family programme, via Zoom
Do you need help to achieve a healthy weight for your child? Be Your Best is a free service for Surrey families with children aged 0 to 12 who are above the healthy weight range.
Families will be offered 6 one-to-one sessions and 6 online group sessions which include live cooking workshops, meal planning for the whole family, managing screen time and tips to reduce anxiety.
Group sessions can take place on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 4pm to 5.30pm via Zoom and the family fit sessions take place on Saturdays 10am to 10.40am via Zoom.
For more information visit the Be Your Best Surrey web page.