England’s South Eastern county of Surrey has given the country so much. Or, it has a lot to answer for, depending who you speak to. Eric Clapton, the M25, Staines Town F.C…famous Surrey sons indeed.
Activity wise, though, the county is stacked with options, attractions and activities to keep the whole family entertained, from theme parks for thrill seekers to wild woodland for avid walkers. Whatever your preferred adventure, leisure, occupation or disposition, Surrey’s got you covered. So, if you’re thinking about upping sticks, here are 5 reasons to move to Surrey, England.
The Towns, Both Historic & Modern
If you’re considering moving to Surrey, then rest assured, the county boasts cosmopolitan vibes, rural tranquillity, and just about everything in between, making it ideally suited for city slickers and lovers of the countryside alike.
Somewhat surprisingly, there are no official cities in Surrey. That said, Guildford is the largest town, and the epicentre of urban life, boasting an attractive historic centre complete with the medieval Guildford Castle, as well as a thriving restaurant and bar scene, a unique, looping high street and a particularly proud-looking cathedral.
Woking, with its close proximity to South London, is another great place to settle if you’re of a more metropolitan persuasion – you’re just 20 minutes by train from Clapham Junction, and the town itself has a great cultural centre. Check out the Lightbox art gallery, which has hosted works from Picasso, Warhol and Damien Hirst, amongst others, over the years.
Speaking of close proximity to London and thriving restaurant scenes, the charming village of Ripley (where Eric Clapton grew up, incidentally) boasts not one but two Michelin-rated restaurants, The Anchor and The Clock House. With its laid-back pace to life and community-focused ethos, it’s a wonderful place to settle if you’re looking for a taste of the rural side of the home counties.
With London only 40 minutes away, Ripley really does represent the best of both worlds, should you be keen to get involved in the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s major cities once in a while. That said, you’ll pay for the privilege; average house prices in Ripley are north of £900’000 according to Right Move.
If you’re looking for affordable new builds in Surrey with decent transport links to London, then the modestly sized towns of Weybridge, Walton, and Esher are a good place to focus your attention.
The Theme Parks
If you’re moving to Surrey with young children, then they’ll be pleased to hear that Thorpe Park is here, As one of the world’s most renowned theme parks, it’s a must visit if adrenaline seeking is your thing. It boasts 10 top “thrill rides” including Stealth, one of Europe’s fastest roller coasters capable of going from 0 to 80 mph in less than 2 seconds. Wowzers.
For the little thrill seekers in the pack, there’s a whole host of family rides and attractions, including the Angry Birds 4-D cinema experience, wild water rides and the Bouncezilla inflatable obstacle course.
In addition to their regular attractions, Thorpe Park also hosts a selection of seasonal events, including fright nights in the run up to Halloween, MTV music club nights as well as offering accommodation in their very own ‘shark hotel’. There really is something for the whole family here.
If that all sounds a little too hair raising isn’t your thing then instead head to Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park and Zoo, better suited for the little ones, with wildlife, playgrounds and picnic areas all within its grounds. Alternatively, Frimley Lodge Park, with pitch’n’putt and a miniature railway, is a great day out.
The Glorious Countryside
Surrey has an abundance of natural beauty on offer. The county has a number of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as well as several National Trust sites ideal for hiking, dog walking, biking and all sorts of other outdoor activities. Pack up a picnic and enjoy the views of the Surrey Hills or explore Virginia Lake. Have a go at camping in Higher Weald AONB or take a hike through ‘The Devils Punch Bowl’. Some top places of interest include:
- Windsor Great Park – ideal for cycling and long walks
- Frensham Great Pond – stunning lakeside views
- Claremont Landscape Garden – National Trust
- Virginia Water Lake – ideal for dog walking and picnics with the family
- Winkworth Arboretum – National Trust
- Box Hill – hill walking complete with summit gift shop and café
- RHS Garden Wisley – great for budding horticulturalists
Who can argue with that?
The History
In addition to the woodlands, lakes and wide-open spaces, Surrey has plenty of museums and areas of historical interest for visitors to soak up a little culture and learn something in the process. Some of the best include:
Guildford Castle – a medieval castle surrounded by beautiful parkland and gardens. Visitors can head to the roof for impressive views over the surrounding area.
Brooklands Museum – the area is deemed the ‘birthplace of British motorsport and aviation’ and is the home of Concorde. Formerly a race circuit, the museum is sure to enthral all petrol heads and aviation enthusiasts.
Hatchlands Park – This National Trust property offers a great location for walking your four-legged friends and the country house contains an interesting array of musical instruments.
Read: 5 historical sites to see in Surrey
The UK’s Largest Vineyard
The county also lays a particularly crucial claim; it boasts the UK’s largest vineyard; Denbies, located in Dorking. 627 acres and plenty of south facing slopes make this a prolific grower and producer of British wine, and the stuff is having a real moment right now. In fact, some of the country’s top sparkling stuff is made here.
In 2016, the vineyard was awarded a gold medal for its Sparkling Greenfields Cuvée NV by the International Wine Challenge, one of the top accolades in the wine world. Tasting tours of the estate can be arranged by the onsite hotel, Denbies Farmhouse.
Who wouldn’t want to live in the same county as such an acclaimed wine producer? Yep, we think it’s fair to say that Surrey has it all.