What's on in the countryside

Discover our growing variety of seasonal events happening across Surrey's countryside.

2025


July

Spectacular bats experience at Sheepleas

Join wildlife guide Susy Dixon-Jones for an immersive and informative bat watching experience at Sheepleas. You’ll learn how to use a bat detector to tune into the unique sounds of different bat species, and even discover how to tell them apart by flight pattern! We’ll marvel at Pipistrelles hawking and long eared bats hovering along the hedgerows, and big noctule and serotine bats fluttering high over the trees. This is a truly atmospheric and fascinating wildlife watching experience.

  • Date: Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July
  • Place: Sheepleas, Shere Road car park, West Horsley KT24 6EP.
  • Time: 8.40pm to 10.30pm
  • Cost: £15.87

Please book your place via the Eventbrite link - Spectacular bat experiences


Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham

The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.

  • Date: Friday 18 July
  • Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1BG.
  • Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm

Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on Friday 18 July.


Tice's Meadow Community Day

Please note: Due to the known risk of poor weather on Saturday 19 July, Tice's Meadow Community Day has been cancelled and will no longer take place. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.


Heath Week event - Butterflies and other things with wings

Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Join the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership for butterfly walks and arts & crafts activities at Chobham Common. Discover the butterflies and other invertebrates you might find on heathland in summer. If the weather is right, Chobham Common offers excellent opportunities to observe and learn about butterflies, bees, hoverflies and other flying insects, and learn about their special relationships with flowers, grasses and trees.

  • Date: Monday 28 July
  • Place:  Chobham Common, Staple Hill car park,  KT16 0ED
  • Time: 10.00am to 1.30pm
  • Cost: Free

No booking required. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the  Butterflies and other things with wings event.


Heath Week event - Nightjar guided walk

Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Nightjars are almost impossible to see during the day, but at dusk there’s more than a chance of seeing and hearing them in their natural habitat. Join the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership wardens to learn more about these stunning birds and hopefully see one or two in flight.

  • Date: Monday 28 July
  • Place:  Whitmoor Common (location confirmed on booking)
  • Time: 8.00pm to 10.30pm
  • Cost: Free

Booking is essential for this walk and no dogs allowed. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the Nightjar guided walk.


Heath Week event - Reptile and Amphibian Roadshow

Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Come and meet the team from Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC). They’ll be showcasing some of our amazing native species with live amphibians and reptiles! There’ll also be an arts & crafts gazebo and other interactive activities.

  • Date: Thursday 31 July
  • Place: Ockham Common, Bolder Mere car park, KT11 1NR
  • Time: 11.00am to 3.00pm
  • Cost: Free

Suitable for all, especially families with school age children – Drop-in anytime between 11am and 3pm. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.  Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the Reptile and Amphibian Roadshow.


Heath Week event - Golden Letter Trail

Collect the golden letters to discover a secret word as you journey across the heath. Learn about this rare habitat along the way, and once your quest is complete, come and tell us the golden word!

  • Date: Thursday 31 July
  • Place:  Whitmoor Common,  Salt Box Road car park,  Guildford GU3 3LH
  • Time: 10.00am to 2.00pm
  • Cost: Free

Suitable for all, especially families with school age children. Drop-in anytime between 10am and 2pm. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the Golden Letter Trail.


Summer activities at the Basingstoke Canal

Head down to the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre during the school summer holidays for a whole host of activities including:

Boat hire

Pedalos, canoes, sit on top kayaks and rowing boats are available for hire during the summer school holidays.

  • Cost: Visit our web page for details on boat hire costs.

Boats are available to hire between 10.15am and 3.40pm.

Boat trips and cream tea cruises

'Rosebud' is a 12-seater boat available for public trips and cream tea cruises. Return trips run for 55 minutes at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm and leave from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to Great bottom Flash.

  • Boat trip cost: £6.50 per adult, £4.00 per child (1-12 years), Under 1 years free. Family ticket £20.00.
  • Cream tea cruise cost: £15.00 per person. Please book in advance.

Please book 48 hours in advance by telephoning: 01252 370073.


Pond dipping

A great self-led activity to discover the wonderful species that call the canal home. Packs provided at Visitor Centre reception.

  • Cost: £7 per pond dipping pack

For further details and prices visit the Basingstoke Canal visitor information web page or telephone 01252 370073.


August

Heath Week event - Nightjar guided walk

Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Nightjars are almost impossible to see during the day, but at dusk there’s more than a chance of seeing and hearing them in their natural habitat. Join the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership wardens to learn more about these stunning birds and hopefully see one or two in flight.

  • Date: Friday 1 August
  • Place:  Chobham Common (location confirmed on booking)
  • Time: 8.00pm to 10.30pm
  • Cost: Free

Booking is essential for this walk and no dogs allowed. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the Nightjar guided walk on Chobham Common.


Heath Week event - Heathland History Walk

Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Join the Chobham Commons Preservation Committee for a visit to Chobham Common, on a tour steeped in history.

  • Date: Saturday 2 August
  • Place:  Chobham Common (location confirmed on booking)
  • Time: 10.00pm to 12.00pm
  • Cost: Free

Booking is essential for this walk which is suitable for all. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information and to book onto the Heathland History walk.


Volunteer at Tice's Meadow

Come and join our rangers and volunteer at Tice's Meadow near Farnham. Tasks might include; clearing vegetation, maintaining paths, fence and gate repairs, habitat management, wildlife surveys and more.We have volunteer sessions running on the following dates:

  • Date: Friday 1, 15 and 29 August
  • Place: Tice's Meadow. Please meet at Horton's Mound which is shown on our interpretation boards around the site.
  • Time: 10am to 2pm

If you are interested in volunteering at Tice's Meadow and would like to come and join one of our volunteering days, please get in touch with us on the following email: countryside.estate@surreycc.gov.uk

September

Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham

The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.

  • Date: Friday 19 September
  • Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1BG.
  • Time: 10am to 1pm

Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on Friday 19 September.

October

Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham

The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.

  • Date: Friday 17 October
  • Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1BG.
  • Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm

Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on Friday 17 October.

November

Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham

The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.

  • Date: Friday 14 November
  • Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1BG.
  • Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm

Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on Friday 14 November.


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