The Basingstoke Canal flows through the counties of Hampshire and Surrey. It originally ran from Basingstoke to its junction with the River Wey in Surrey, 37 miles away. 32 miles of the original route have been restored, from the Wey Navigation to North Warnborough in Hampshire, catering for boaters, walkers, canoeists, anglers and naturalists. It has 29 locks, all but one in Surrey. www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk
Great Cockcrow Railway – Lyne Nr Chertsey
The miniature railway is not one of those that offers a ‘trip round the garden pond’, the layout has continually grown since moving to its present site in 1968. The GCR is 7¼-inch gauge, and offers a choice of two regular routes, served about every five minutes each.
Thorpe Park – Chertsey
Thorpe Park has a wide range of attractions and rides spread through several zones.
For the adrenalin junkie:
Stealth: Climb to heights of over 200ft on the ride that accelerates from 0-80mph in less than 2 seconds
Detonator: Riders are winched 100ft in the air before being fired back to earth at 75km per hour
Samurai: Spin 360 degree while you are upside down
Also try out Slammer, Tidal Wave, Vortex Colossus, Nemesis, Inferno, Quantum and Rush
Rides for all the family.
Canada Creek Railway Station, Chief Ranger's Carousel, Flying Fish, Depth Charge, Logger's Leap, Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari, Mr. Monkeys Banana Ride, Pirates 4-D, Ribena Rumba Rapids, Rocky Express, and Storm in A Teacup
Rides for Small Children
Fantasy Fish, Galleon Race, Happy Halibuts, Neptune’s Beach, Ollie Octopus, The Sing Zone, Sea Snakes & Ladders, Slippery Serpent, Swinging Seashells, Up Periscope, and Wet Wet Wet. www.thorpepark.com
Chessington World Of Adventures – Chessington
Divided into several theme areas: Mystic East, Animal World, Mexicana, Market Square, Pirate Cove, Toytown, Transylvania and the Forbidden Kingdom. There are rides to suit most tastes (and nerve) including: Samurai, Rattlesnake, The Black Buccaneer, Dragon Falls, Vampire and Rameses Revenge. There are also live shows where you can see birds, penguins and sea lions perform. www.chessington.co.uk
Chilworth Manor – Chilworth Nr Guildford
Edwardian manor house set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens.
Clandon Park – Clandon
A grand Palladian mansion built circa 1730 by the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni. Attractive Gardens.
Claremont House & Gardens- Claygate
Superb Palladian style house built in the 1770s by 'Capability Brown' for Clive of India. The garden features include a lake, island with pavilion, grotto, turf amphitheatre, viewpoints and vistas.
Campaign Paintball Park – Cobham
One of the largest of a new breed of Paintball ‘theme’ Park, Set in a 200 acre ancient forest. It has 10 purpose-built themed game areas, incorporating an old ‘Wild West’ film set, buildings, tanks, crashed helicopter as well as the more traditional trenches, huts, and jungle scenes
Cobham Bus Museum
See the worlds largest collection of ex-london transport motor-buses and coaches in a unique working museum environment.
Painshill Park – Cobham
One of the most important 18th-century parks in Europe. The Hamilton landscapes include Gothic Temple, Chinese Bridge, Crystal Grotto, and Turkish Tent. www.painshill.co.uk
Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, Ockley Nr. Dorking
10 acre landscaped garden, houses an extensive and ever changing collection of contemporary sculptures by over 100 artists. www.hannahpescharsculpture.com
Runnymede Pleasure Grounds – Egham
The park is opposite Runnymede meadow and the memorials commemorating the signing of the Magna Carta by King John in 1215.
Birdworld - Holt Pound, Farnham,
Britain's largest bird park includes Underwater World and Jenny Wren Farm. The park consists of 26 acres of aviaries in beautifully landscaped gardens. One of the most popular events is to see the penguins being fed by a keeper. Or handle the baby animals at Jenny Wren’s Farm. www.birdworld.co.uk
Alice Holt Woodland Park - Farnham
This ancient forest is famous for its oak trees which once supplied timber for navy ships. Recently Alice Holt oak has been used to build a replica of Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London. Whether you have come to walk, cycle, picnic or see the wildlife, there is something at Alice Holt for everyone who loves the countryside.
Farnham Castle (Bishop’s Palace) - Farnham
Built in Norman times by Henry of Blois with Tudor and Jacobean additions. The Great Hall was re-modelled at the Restoration. Features include the Renaissance brickwork of Wayneflete's tower, and the 17th century chapel.
Rural Life Centre – Tilford Nr Farnham
Museum of village life. Displays show trades such as wheelwrighting. Reconstructed buildings include a chapel, pavilion and schoolroom. Playground, light railway www.rural-life.org.uk
Loseley Park – Farncombe, Nr Guildford
Stunning Elizabethan Mansion, set amidst attractive parkland with glorious walled garden and lake walk.
Farncombe Boat House
Hire a rowing boat, canoe or traditional punt for an hour or take a picnic and go for the day if you feel energetic.
Godstone Farm – Godstone
The most popular childrens’ farm in Surrey The animals are very friendly and the children are encouraged to stroke and cuddle the smaller ones.
Winkworth Arboretum – Godalming
Lose yourself in the hillside woodland created in the 20th century and wander amongst the award-winning collection of over 1,000 different shrubs and trees, many rare.
Godalming Packetboat
Travel the Victorian Way along the River Wey as generation of boatmen before you. You journey on the narrow boat pulled by heavy horses, navigate both river and canal and pass through a lock.
Guildford Cathedral
Majestically situated on Stag Hill overlooking the town. Guildford Cathedral offers tranquility, light and space created by a sandstone interior and white Italian marble floors. Restaurants and shops open daily.
Guildford Castle
Started out as a Norman motte and bailey castle, built soon after 1066. The wooden defences were replaced by stone ones during the 12th century. As the only royal castle in Surrey, it became the centre for administration and justice, with the keep converted to use as the county gaol.
St Bartholomew's Church – Haslemere
Rebuilt in 1870 on the site of a much older building dating back to at least the 13th century. The imposing interior includes a memeorial window to Alfred Lord Tennyson, the poet laureate, who lived on Black Down near Haslemere for nearly 30 years.
Kew Palace, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage and the Royal Botanical Gardens – Kew
Kew Palace, George III's family home, and Queen Charlotte's Cottage, the royal family's picnic retreat in the woods, are situated within Kew Gardens. Kew Gardens beautiful landscapes including 40,000 different plant species and 40 listed buildings. A uniquely relaxing environment. www.kew.org
Bocketts Farm – Leatherhead
Exciting working farm, very friendly animals. Pig racing, goat milking, lambing. Feed and handle the small animals, watch sheep dog demonstrations or go on a Pony ride. If the weather is bad there is an indoor play barn where children can try out different crafts. www.bockettsfarm.co.uk
Fire and Iron Gallery – Leatherhead
The world's leading metal art gallery, in a beautiful historic setting. Spectacular work by top international blacksmiths and jewellers. Recommended by the Crafts council.l
British Wildlife Centre – Lingfield
Many of the animals are rarely seen in the wild. Here you can see them up close, learn more about the challenges they face in the wild and find out how to help to conserve them and their habitats for future generations.
Ham House - Richmond
Built in 1610 and lavishly remodelled in the 1670s, Ham House became the centre of Restoration court life, politics and intrigue and is one of the most outstanding Stuart houses of the period.
Hampton Court Palace - Richmond
Set in sixty acres of world famous gardens the Palace is a living history from Henry VIII to George II. From the elegance of the eighteenth century Privy Garden to the Tudor Kitchens, visitors are taken back through the centuries to experience the Palace as it was when royalty lived there. Costumed guides provide information on the life in the royal households. In the summer months horse-drawn carriages offer a trip around the stunning gardens. Hampton Court is the site of the world-famous Maze planted between 1689 and 1695 for William III of Orange, it covers a third of an acre and contains half a mile of paths.
Barons Cave and Tunnel Road Cave - Reigate
Located under the Castle Grounds, the cave was first constructed as a narrow passage connecting the Castle Keep to the town below. During the First World War the caverns were used as a major high explosives dump.
Shalford Mill - Shalford Nr Guildford
Given in 1932 by an anonymous group called Ferguson’s Gang now maintained by the National Trust. The mill dates back to the 18th Century and its machinery is well preserved. It is timber-framed and stands on the banks of the river Tillingbourne.
Hogs Back Brewery – Tongham
Enjoy the sights and sounds of a real brewery. Sample the ales, go on a brewery tour visit the off-licence and brewery shop.
Royal Horticultural Society Garden - Wisley
Stretching over 240 acres, Wisley is Britain’s best loved garden offering a fascinating blend of the beautiful with practical and innovative design and cultivation techniques.
Savill Garden - Windsor Great Park (Surrey/Berkshire Border)
World-renowned woodland garden with adjoining rose gardens and herbaceous borders. Savill Garden covers some 35 acres and was formalised in 1932 by Sir Eric Savill who, as Deputy Ranger, was responsible for its creation.
Virginia Water - at the south end of the Great Park, near Ascot (Surrey/Berkshire Border)
The Water itself is a large lake, with the Valley Gardens and Smiths Lawn (home of the Guards Polo Club). There is a pleasant walk around the lake, encompassing many curiosities, including a 100 foot totem pole, an artificial waterfall and grotto, an obelisk raised by George II, and part of a ruined city imported from North Africa.
Brooklands Museum – Weybridge
The story of British motor sport and aviation from 1907. Displays and exhibits portray the contribution of the area in both world wars, and also in the post-war years. An exhibition on Grand Prix motor racing and Concorde can also be seen. www.brooklandsmuseum.com