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3 Days in Surrey: Itinerary 2026
This three-day itinerary covers Surrey's highlights in 2026, grouped by neighborhood to minimize transit. Each day focuses on a different area: Day 1 in Guildford and Godalming,… 🗓️ Plan Your Trip
This three-day itinerary covers Surrey's highlights in 2026, grouped by neighborhood to minimize transit. Each day focuses on a different area: Day 1 in Guildford and Godalming, Day 2 in Woking and Weybridge, and Day 3 in Dorking and Leatherhead. Expect to spend about 1-2 hours on transport each day, using trains and buses. Start early to make the most of your time.
🚆 Getting Around
Surrey's rail network is your best bet for moving between towns. South Western Railway runs frequent services from London Waterloo to Guildford (35 minutes), Woking (25 minutes), and Dorking (45 minutes). A off-peak day return from London to Guildford costs around £15. Buses like the 32 and 479 connect smaller villages, but they can be infrequent, so check timetables in advance. For flexibility, consider a Surrey Day Ranger ticket, which offers unlimited travel in the county for about £20.
🏰 Day 1: Guildford
Start at Guildford Castle (Castle Street, open 10am-5pm, free entry) for panoramic views. Then stroll down the cobbled High Street, popping into the Guildford House Gallery (155 High Street, free) and the Electric Theatre. Lunch at The March Hare (High Street, mains £10-15) or grab a picnic from the Friary Centre market. In the afternoon, walk along the River Wey to the ruins of Waverley Abbey (free, open daylight hours), a 20-minute bus ride from town. End your day with a pint at The Star Inn (Quarry Street), a 16th-century pub.
🛶 Day 2: Woking & Weybridge
Begin at Woking's The Lightbox gallery (Chobham Road, open 10:30am-5pm, £5) and the adjacent WWF Living Planet Centre. Then take a 15-minute train to Weybridge and visit the Brooklands Museum (Brooklands Road, open 10am-5pm, £15), home of British motorsport and aviation. Have lunch at the on-site Sunbeam Cafe (mains £8-12). In the afternoon, stroll around the Mercedes-Benz World (free entry) and take a walk along the River Wey. Return to Woking for dinner at Cote Brasserie (Commercial Way, mains £12-18).
🌳 Day 3: Dorking & Leatherhead
Start in Dorking at the Dorking Museum (West Street, open 10am-4pm, £3) and then climb Box Hill (free, open daylight hours) for stunning views; the hike takes about 1 hour. Lunch at the Box Hill Cafe (mains £7-12) or The Stepping Stones pub (Westhumble, mains £10-15). In the afternoon, take a 15-minute train to Leatherhead and explore the Leatherhead Museum (Church Street, free) and the scenic River Mole. Finish with a cream tea at The Running Horse (Bridge Street, £8).
🍽️ Where to Eat
Surrey has a strong pub food scene. In Guildford, try The Angel Hotel (High Street) for modern British dishes (mains £15-20). Woking's SoLita (Commercial Way) offers Italian classics (mains £10-15). For a splurge, the Michelin-starred The Latymer in Bagshot (mains £40+) is worth the trip. Budget options include Greggs and Pret a Manger in most town centers. Many pubs serve food until 9pm, but book ahead on weekends.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Guildford is the best base, with hotels like the Angel Hotel (from £80 per night) and the Travelodge (from £50). Woking has the Holiday Inn (from £70) and Premier Inn (from £55). For a countryside feel, consider the Box Hill Travelodge (from £60) or a B&B in Dorking (from £70). Book early in summer, as prices rise. All these are within a 10-minute walk of train stations.
💡 Insider Tips
Buy a contactless card or Oyster for train travel, as paper tickets are pricier. Many attractions offer 2-for-1 deals with National Rail tickets. Check opening times: some museums close on Mondays. Wear comfortable shoes, as Surrey's towns have cobbled streets and hills. In 2026, look out for the Surrey Hills Food Festival in June and the Guildford Book Festival in October.
this is a solid plan but day 3 is a lot, box hill in the morning then leatherhead after lunch is doable but you'll be rushing the mole walk. if you can, swap leatherhead for a slow loop around box hill & westhumble, the stepping stones pub does a better pint than most places in dorking tbh. also heads up that the guildford castle gardens are free but the keep itself has weird seasonal hours, check before you go. one thing missing: the silent pool distillery near albury is worth a detour if you're into gin, tours book up fast on weekends
the grouping by town is smart, saves you burning hours on the 32 bus which only runs like every 90 mins out towards witley. one thing i'd add for day 1, if you're doing the river wey walk to waverley abbey, the towpath from guildford is actually a proper 4 mile walk not a quick stroll, so either commit to it or just get the bus from the friary. and the star inn beer garden floods a bit after rain, the covered bit out back is where you wanna be.
on the ranger ticket, worth knowing the guildford to redhill stretch on the north downs line counts but the gatwick airport leg doesn't, caught me out once.
good writeup, the neighborhood grouping makes sense. one thing i'd flag on day 2: the 15 min train from woking to weybridge is right but brooklands is a solid 25 min walk from weybridge station, or you grab the 436 bus, so factor that in or you'll lose an hour you didn't plan for.
also the lightbox is closed mondays, same with dorking museum. and if you're doing the surrey day ranger, check it covers the guildford to dorking line, cos some of the southern routes need a separate ticket and the staff at guildford station are pretty good about telling u but the machines won't
for food, the star inn does a decent sunday roast but you'll want to book, we turned up at 1 and got turned away. the angelo hotel in guildford is fine but overpriced for what it is tbh, the harbour hotel on the high street is better value if you book direct
Things to Do in Surrey (2026)
Surrey is dotted with historic houses, and two of the best are Hampton Court Palace and Polesden Lacey. Hampton Court Palace, former home of Henry VIII, is in East M… 🏰 Historic Houses and Gardens
Surrey is dotted with historic houses, and two of the best are Hampton Court Palace and Polesden Lacey. Hampton Court Palace, former home of Henry VIII, is in East Molesey (KT8 9AU) and open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 (last admission 15:00); tickets cost £26.30 for adults if booked online. Polesden Lacey, near Great Bookham (RH5 6BD), offers a glimpse into Edwardian society and has beautiful gardens; entry is £15 for adults, and it's free for National Trust members. Both make for a great day out, but check opening times as they vary by season.
🌳 Outdoor Adventures
For outdoor lovers, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a must. Box Hill, near Tadworth (KT20 7LB), offers stunning views and walking trails; the Stepping Stones walk is a favourite, and parking costs £4 for the day. Leith Hill, near Dorking (RH5 6LU), is the highest point in southeast England, with a tower offering panoramic views; entry to the tower is £3 for adults. Both spots are perfect for picnics and hikes, but wear sturdy shoes as some paths are steep.
🎨 Cultural Gems
Surrey has a rich cultural scene, with venues like the Watts Gallery in Compton (GU3 1DQ). This gallery is dedicated to Victorian artist George Frederic Watts and houses a collection of his works; admission is £12.50 for adults, and it's open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. The Lightbox in Woking (GU21 4AA) is another highlight, featuring contemporary art exhibitions and a museum about the history of Woking; entry is free, though donations are welcome. Both places often host workshops and events, so check their websites for what's on.
🍽️ Food and Drink
Surrey's food scene is diverse, from cosy pubs to fine dining. The Ivy Castle View in Guildford (GU1 4YW) offers a sophisticated menu with views of the castle; mains range from £15 to £30, and it's open daily from 11:30 to 23:00. For a more casual bite, try the Kingfisher on the Quay in Camberley (GU15 3TA), a pub with a lakeside terrace; fish and chips cost around £14. Local farmers' markets, like the one in Guildford High Street on the first Saturday of each month, are great for fresh produce and street food.
🚂 Family Fun
Families will love the Bluebell Railway, a heritage steam railway that runs between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, with a station in Horsted Keynes (RH17 7BB). A return ticket for adults is £20, and children under 3 travel free; it operates on selected dates throughout the year, so book ahead. Another favourite is Chessington World of Adventures Resort (KT9 2NE), which combines a theme park, zoo, and aquarium; tickets start at £29 if booked online. Both offer a full day of entertainment, but arrive early to make the most of your visit.
🛶 On the Water
The River Wey and Godalming Navigations offer peaceful boating and walking opportunities. You can hire a boat from Farncombe Boat House in Godalming (GU7 1NH) for around £25 per hour, or take a guided trip with the National Trust. The navigations are also great for cycling, with a flat towpath stretching for miles. For a more active experience, try kayaking at the Wey Kayak Club in Guildford (GU1 1HB), which offers taster sessions for beginners.
🎭 Theatre and Music
Surrey has a vibrant performing arts scene, with venues like the New Victoria Theatre in Woking (GU21 6GQ) hosting West End shows and concerts. Tickets vary by performance, but expect to pay £20 to £50 for a typical show. The Electric Theatre in Guildford (GU1 4SZ) is a smaller venue that showcases local talent, with tickets often under £20. Both venues have busy schedules, so check their websites for upcoming events and book early for popular shows.
🛍️ Shopping and Markets
For shopping, head to Guildford High Street, which is lined with independent boutiques and high street brands. The Friary Centre in Guildford (GU1 4YT) is a modern shopping mall with over 50 stores, open from 9:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Thursdays). Alternatively, visit the historic market in Kingston upon Thames (KT1 1JS), which dates back to the 13th century and runs Monday to Saturday. Don't miss the monthly farmers' market in Farnham (GU9 7PT) on the fourth Saturday, where you can sample local cheeses, breads, and preserves.
Solid roundup, saved me planning a weekend tbh. One thing I'd chuck in for the food bit: Guildford's farmers market is decent but the real gem is the Surrey Street Market in Croydon, way bigger and the street food stalls are unreal. Also if you're doing Box Hill, the Stepping Stones walk floods after heavy rain so check before you drag the kids out there.
good writeup, covers most of it. one thing i'd add for the theatre section: the New Victoria in Woking does cheap preview tickets for the first couple of nights of a run, we saw a West End transfer for £15 each that way. sign up to their mailing list, they email when they go on sale and they sell out fast.
also for Chessington, the annual pass pays for itself after about two visits if you're local. we go maybe four times a year and it works out way cheaper than day tickets, plus you can pop in for just the zoo bit after school.
The Watts Gallery tip is solid, but people sleep on the nearby chapel. It's just up the lane from the gallery and it's free to pop in, worth 20 minutes if you're already there.
Also for the Wey, Farncombe Boat House gets booked out on sunny weekends so ring ahead rather than turning up. We got turned away twice before we learned.
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