1 / 20

🌳Painshill Park
Painshill Park is an award-winning 18th-century landscape garden covering 158 acres in Surrey. It offers a magical day out for families with highlights including the Crystal Grotto, Gothic Temple, and a serpentine lake. Children love the large adventure playground with swings, slides, and climbing frames, as well as the nature trails where they can spot wildlife. The park hosts seasonal events like Easter egg hunts and Halloween trails.
Facilities include a café serving hot and cold food, picnic areas, and toilets with baby changing. Paths are pushchair-friendly, though some areas may be muddy. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Practical tips: wear sturdy footwear, bring waterproofs, and allow at least 3-4 hours to explore. Parking is free.
Travel tips
Wear sturdy footwear and bring waterproofs
The park's paths can become muddy, especially after rain. Waterproof jackets and sturdy walking shoes are essential for comfort and safety.
Allow 3-4 hours minimum for your visit
With 158 acres to explore, an adventure playground, lake, and nature trails, you'll need at least half a day to see the highlights without rushing.
Pushchair-friendly paths but check conditions first
Most paths are pushchair-friendly, though some areas may be muddy. Ring ahead or check the website to confirm ground conditions before visiting.
Baby changing facilities available
Toilets with baby changing facilities are on site, making it convenient for families with babies and young toddlers.
Free parking on site
You won't pay for parking, which helps keep your visit affordable. Arrive early during school holidays or weekends for easier access.
Adventure playground is a major draw
The large adventure playground with swings, slides, and climbing frames is hugely popular with children. Plan time for this or visit early to avoid longer queues.
Bring a picnic or use the café
Picnic areas are dotted throughout the park. The on-site café serves hot and cold food, but bringing a packed lunch often offers better value and flexibility.
Spot wildlife on nature trails
Children enjoy exploring nature trails to spot local wildlife. Bring binoculars and a wildlife spotting guide to make it more interactive.
Explore the Crystal Grotto and Gothic Temple
These 18th-century features make for magical photo opportunities and spark children's imagination. They're iconic highlights worth seeking out during your visit.
Book ahead for seasonal events
Easter egg hunts and Halloween trails are popular family events. Check the website and book in advance as spaces may fill up quickly.
Dogs on leads are welcome
Well-behaved dogs on leads can join your visit, making it a good option if you have a family pet.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Sign in to leave a review
Nearby places

Bocketts Farm Park
3.3 miBocketts Farm Park is a family-friendly working farm set in the Surrey countryside, offering a full day of hands-on activities. Children can feed and pet a variety of farm animals, including lambs, goats, and guinea pigs, and watch the famous pig racing. Tractor rides around the farm provide a fun tour of the grounds. Indoor and outdoor play areas cater to different ages, including a large indoor soft play barn for younger kids and outdoor pedal tractors, climbing frames, and a jumping pillow. The farm also features a seasonal maize maze and pumpkin patch in autumn. Practical tips: Wear wellies or sturdy shoes as paths can be muddy. There's a café serving hot meals and snacks, plus picnic areas. Parking is free. Allow at least 3–4 hours for your visit.

Brooklands Museum
3.7 miBrooklands Museum is a fascinating heritage site dedicated to motorsport and aviation, located on the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit. Families can explore historic aircraft, vintage cars, and the iconic Brooklands banked track. Highlights include climbing aboard Concorde, sitting in a Harrier jump jet, and watching car demonstrations in the summer. The museum also features interactive exhibits, such as the 'Brooklands Ball' and 'Flight Lab', which engage children of all ages. Facilities for families include a picnic area, café with kid-friendly options, baby changing facilities, and pushchair access throughout most exhibits. The museum offers family trails and regular events like car shows and science weekends. **Recommended ages:** 2-16. Younger children enjoy the buses and tractors, while older kids love the aircraft cockpits and engineering displays. Plan 3-5 hours for a visit.

Polesden Lacey
3.9 miPolesden Lacey is an Edwardian house and estate located on the North Downs at Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey, England. Owned and run by the National Trust, it is one of the Trust's most popular properties. The Regency house was expanded from an earlier building and extensively remodelled in 1906 by Margaret Greville, a well-known Edwardian hostess. Her collection of fine paintings, furniture, porcelain, and silver is displayed in the reception rooms and galleries, as it was at the time of her celebrated house parties. The future George VI and Queen Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon there in 1923. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polesden_Lacey?utm_source=openai))

Chessington World of Adventures
4.2 miChessington World of Adventures Resort is a 128-acre theme park, zoo, and hotel complex located in Chessington, Greater London, England. Originally opened as Chessington Zoo in 1931, it expanded into a theme park in 1987, becoming one of the UK's first combined animal-amusement parks. The resort features over 40 rides and attractions, including thrilling roller coasters like Mandrill Mayhem, Vampire, and Dragon's Fury. Visitors can also explore a zoo housing over 1,000 animals, such as western lowland gorillas and sea lions, and an SEA LIFE Centre with diverse marine life displays. The resort offers themed hotels, dining options, and VIP animal experiences, making it a comprehensive destination for family entertainment.

RHS Garden Wisley
4.4 miRHS Garden Wisley is a world-class botanic garden in Surrey, offering a fantastic day out for families. Highlights include the huge Informative Plant Centre with tropical and desert plants in the Glasshouse, the stunning Wild Wood with adventure play areas, and the seasonal displays that change throughout the year. - Families will love the Wild Wood adventure playgrounds, including a wooden castle, slides, and climbing frames suitable for ages 2–16. There are also smaller play areas for toddlers. - Practical tips: Bring a picnic (or eat at one of several cafes), wear comfortable shoes, and check the website for seasonal events like pumpkin trails or Christmas lights. The garden is mostly outdoor, so rainy days may be less enjoyable, but the Glasshouse and indoor dining areas offer shelter. - Ages 0–18: Something for all, with dedicated areas for toddlers, children, and teens. Pushchair-friendly paths are available.

Hatchlands Park
5.8 miHatchlands Park, a National Trust property near Guildford, is a historic house set in extensive parkland with formal gardens. The house is famous for its collection of early keyboard instruments and decorative arts, but the main draw for families is the outdoor space: there are landscaped gardens, a lovely walled garden, and plenty of open parkland for picnics and games. - The parkland has accessible paths, a natural play area with logs and balance beams, and trails like the 'Sensory Trail' and 'Den Building' areas. - The garden features a parterre, herbaceous borders, and a peaceful pond. - Facilities include a café, shop, baby-changing, and accessible toilets. Dogs on leads welcome. - Admission includes the grounds; the house is open on limited days (check website). - Best for ages 2-12, but all ages enjoy the space. Cost: free for National Trust members, otherwise £14 adult, £7 child, or £35 family (2024 prices).

Box Hill
5.9 miBox Hill, located in Surrey, England, is a renowned natural landmark offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Part of the North Downs, it features diverse landscapes including woodlands, chalk downlands, and farmland. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as walking, cycling, and exploring the natural play area designed for children. The hill is also home to a rich array of wildlife, including 38 species of butterflies and 17 species of orchids, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. The Old Fort, built in the late 1890s, adds a historical element to the site. The National Trust manages the area, providing facilities like a café serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and ice creams. Box Hill is accessible via public transport, with the Box Hill and Westhumble railway station nearby, and offers ample parking for those traveling by car. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with free entry; however, parking charges apply. It's advisable to check the weather forecast before visiting, as conditions can vary, and to wear appropriate clothing for outdoor activities. The area is suitable for all ages, with trails and facilities accommodating families, including those with young children. For more information, visit the National Trust's official website.

The Lightbox
6.7 miThe Lightbox is a modern museum and art gallery in Woking, Surrey, known for its family-friendly exhibits and interactive spaces. Highlights include the 'In The Frame' exhibition showcasing local history, the 'Art & Me' interactive gallery for children, and a programme of temporary exhibitions from contemporary artists and designers. - Families can enjoy the 'Art Play' area where kids can create their own masterpieces, and the 'Discovery Gallery' with hands-on activities. - The museum has a café serving child-friendly meals and a gift shop. - Baby-changing facilities are available, and pushchairs are welcome throughout. - Admission is free (except for some special exhibitions), making it an affordable day out. - Suitable for all ages, but most activities are aimed at children aged 3-12.

Denbies Wine Estate
6.8 miDenbies Wine Estate is a large vineyard and winery set in the Surrey Hills, offering a unique family-friendly day out. Kids can enjoy the play area, a miniature train ride through the vines, and seasonal events like grape stomping. Parents appreciate the on-site restaurant and café with kids' menus, plus the self-guided vineyard tours with interactive exhibits. - Highlights: play park, train ride, vineyard tours, wine tasting for adults, picnic areas - Ages: Suitable for all (playground for toddlers, walking trails for older children) - Facilities: baby changing, high chairs in restaurant, free parking, accessible paths - Practical tip: Book the 'Family Fun' tour in advance; wellies recommended after rain.

Nonsuch Park
7.4 miNonsuch Park is a large public park in Surrey, offering expansive lawns, ancient woodlands, and the historic Nonsuch Mansion (now a wedding venue and café). Families love the well-equipped playground, the walled garden, and the many walking trails. Highlights include: - A large adventure playground with swings, slides, and climbing frames suitable for all ages. - The stable courtyard with a café serving light meals and ice creams. - Picnic areas with benches and open space for games. - Seasonal events such as Easter egg hunts and outdoor theatre. Practical tips: Free parking is available at the London Road and Ewell Village entrances (limited). The park is mostly flat, pushchair-friendly. Public toilets are near the mansion block. Dogs welcome on leads in some areas.

