Free days out in Surrey
Days out with kids can get expensive very quickly. Especially during the school holidays when you’ve somehow got six weeks to fill.
We’ve always mixed bigger days out with free ones. Sometimes that’s been a properly planned day somewhere, other times it’s literally been a case of chucking a picnic in a bag and getting everyone out of the house for a few hours.
And actually, we’ve found loads of free days out in Surrey over the years. Parks, woodland walks, playgrounds, museums and places where you can easily spend half a day without paying to get in.
Now the boys are older, what counts as a good free day out has changed a bit too. Playgrounds don’t really cut it anymore! These days we’re more likely to look for somewhere they can walk, cycle or actually do something.
So I’ve updated this guide with places that work for younger kids, as well as some that are better for older kids and teens.
If you’re looking for more ideas generally, have a look at my guide for things to do in Surrey with kids too.
Last updated: September 2026. I’ve checked the entry information below and included parking details where relevant, but things change, so it’s always worth checking the official website before making a special journey.
A quick note about ‘free’: Everything in this guide is free to enter, or has something substantial you can visit for free. Some places charge for parking or have optional paid activities once you’re there. I’ve made that clear below because a ‘free’ day out doesn’t feel quite so free when you discover a £15 parking charge!
Our quick picks for free days out in Surrey
Don’t fancy scrolling through the whole guide? These would be my picks:
- Best playground: Priory Park, Reigate
- Best for bikes, scooters and skateboards: Brooklands Community Park
- Best countryside views: Newlands Corner
- Best family walk: Box Hill
- Best completely free park day: Lightwater Country Park
- Best indoor option: Mercedes-Benz World
- Best for younger kids: Frimley Lodge Park
- Best for older kids and teens: Richmond Park or Brooklands Community Park
- Best for animal lovers: Deen City Farm
Free Days Out in Surrey by Area
If you’d rather find somewhere fairly close to home, here’s a rough idea of where everything is.
Elmbridge and North Surrey
Guildford and the Surrey Hills
Epsom, Reigate and the Surrey Hills
Woking and Camberley
Just over the Surrey border
I’ve included those last three because they’re so close and useful for Surrey families that it seems a bit daft to leave them out just because we’ve crossed an invisible county line.
Best free things to do in Surrey with kids
Alice Holt Forest
We’ve been to Alice Holt loads of times over the years. It’s one of those easy days out when you just need to get everyone out of the house for a few hours.
There are walking and cycling trails, play areas and loads of space to explore. When the boys were younger, the themed trails were always a winner too. Basically a way of getting them to go for a walk without actually calling it a walk!
You can take a picnic or there’s a café if you don’t fancy being organised enough to make one.
The forest itself is free, but parking isn’t. And it can add quite a bit to the cost of the day, so definitely check the current Forestry England parking charges before you go.
Best for: Woodland walks, cycling and younger kids
Cost: Free entry
Parking: Charges apply
Location: Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS
Brooklands Community Park
We used to bring the boys here all the time with their bikes – this is actually where they both learnt to ride without stabilisers.
It’s a really handy one if you’ve got kids who want to do something rather than just go for a walk. There’s a BMX track, skate facilities, play areas and loads of open space.
Over the years we’ve taken all sorts here too, from remote control cars to the Rollplay Nighthawk. It’s the kind of place where you can just bring whatever they’re into at the time and let them burn off some energy.
I think it’s especially useful once kids are a bit older and a normal playground isn’t going to keep them entertained for very long.
Bring bikes, scooters or something else with wheels, chuck some snacks in a bag and you’ve got a couple of hours sorted.
Best for: Bikes, BMX, scooters, skateboarding and older kids
Cost: Free
Parking: Check local parking arrangements before visiting
Location: Sopwith Drive, Weybridge KT13 0YU
Bushy Park
Bushy Park is technically just over the Surrey border, but it’s so close to us that I’ve always thought of it as a local day out.
It’s huge. You can go for a quick wander or easily spend several hours there. There are deer, ponds, the Woodland Gardens and a really good playground near the Diana Fountain for younger kids.
Parking is free too, which feels like quite a novelty these days!
Opening arrangements can change during deer cull periods, so it’s worth checking The Royal Parks website before you go.
Best for: Walks, wildlife, playgrounds and picnics
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Location: Hampton Court Road, Hampton Wick KT8 9AU
Box Hill, Dorking
We’ve been to Box Hill quite a few times and you don’t need to do some enormous hike to make a day of it.
There are loads of different walking routes, but with younger kids I’d probably head for the Natural Play Trail. There’s stuff to climb and balance on along the way, which always makes a walk considerably less painful!
You can also head down towards the stepping stones over the River Mole, although after lots of rain they can end up underwater.
There’s a café and toilets around the main National Trust area too. Always useful.
Best for: Family walks, views and natural play
Cost: Free entry
Parking: Charges apply; National Trust members park free
Location: Box Hill Road, Tadworth KT20 7LB
Cobham Mill
Cobham Mill is more of a little afternoon outing than a full day, but it’s a nice one if you’re already around Cobham.
It’s one of the few surviving working watermills in Surrey and sits right beside the River Mole.
The main thing to know is that you can’t just turn up whenever you fancy. The mill currently opens on the second Sunday of each month from April to October, between 2pm and 5pm.
Entry is free, although donations are welcome.
I’d probably combine it with a wander around Cobham or a walk by the river rather than making it the whole day’s entertainment.
Best for: A shorter outing and kids who like seeing how things work
Cost: Free; donations welcome
Parking: Use local parking in Cobham
Location: Mill Road, Cobham KT11 3AL
Deen City Farm
Another one that’s technically not Surrey, but close enough that it’s really useful if you’re in the north of the county.
Deen City Farm is a small urban farm where kids can get up close to the animals. Definitely one that I’d have had on my list more when the boys were younger.
Entry is free, although it’s a charity so donations are very welcome. There are optional paid activities too, but you don’t have to spend anything once you’re there.
I’d have a quick check of the current visiting arrangements before setting off, especially during school holidays.
Best for: Younger children and animal lovers
Cost: Free entry; donations welcome
Location: 39 Windsor Avenue, Merton Abbey, London SW19 2RR
Denbies Hillside
Denbies Hillside is a good one if you basically just want a walk and some fresh air.
The views across the Surrey Hills are lovely, but there isn’t loads here in terms of facilities. So don’t come expecting playgrounds and cafés.
With older kids, a dog or anyone who’s happy just going for a decent walk though, it’s worth knowing about.
Best for: Walks, views and older kids
Cost: Free entry
Parking: Charges apply; National Trust members park free
Location: Ranmore Road, Dorking RH5 6SR
Frensham Great Pond
Frensham Great Pond is one of those places that doesn’t really feel like Surrey when the sun’s out.
There’s a sandy beach area, heathland and woodland walks, so on a nice summer’s day you can almost pretend you’ve made it to the coast.
Obviously everyone else has the same idea. It gets very busy when it’s hot, so I wouldn’t casually rock up at lunchtime on the first sunny Saturday of the year and expect it to be quiet!
It’s free to visit but parking charges apply. National Trust members can currently park free with their membership card.
Best for: Summer days, walks and something a bit different
Cost: Free entry
Parking: Charges apply; free for National Trust members
Location: Bacon Lane, Churt GU10 2QB
If you’re specifically looking for somewhere to swim or cool down in the water, have a look at our guide to water parks and lidos in Surrey instead.
Frimley Lodge Park
Frimley Lodge Park is a really useful one with younger kids because there’s enough there to make it feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere, rather than just popped to the local playground.
There are two playgrounds, lots of open space, woodland, picnic areas and a trim trail. You can walk along the canal from here too.
There’s also a miniature railway which runs on selected days. That costs extra, so obviously isn’t part of the free bit, but it’s handy to know it’s there if you want to add something on.
And parking is free. Bonus.
Best for: Playgrounds, picnics and younger kids
Cost: Free; miniature railway costs extra
Parking: Free
Location: Sturt Road, Frimley Green GU16 6
Guildford Castle Grounds
You can wander around the grounds and gardens at Guildford Castle for free and they’re especially lovely when everything’s in bloom.
It’s not somewhere I’d necessarily plan an entire day around, but it’s really easy to combine with a walk along the River Wey or a wander around Guildford.
Guildford Museum is right next to the Castle Grounds and is free to visit too. It’s not a huge museum, but there are collections covering Guildford and the surrounding area from prehistoric times onwards, as well as changing exhibitions.
I’d probably do the museum and Castle Grounds together, then have a wander through Guildford or down towards the River Wey.
Going inside the Castle Keep does cost extra. At the time of updating this guide, it’s £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and £12 for a family. Under-fives go free.
We’ve also been to Illuminate at Guildford Castle at Christmas, when the gardens look completely different after dark. You can see our visit to Guildford Illuminate on Instagram. That’s a seasonal event rather than part of the everyday free visit, but definitely worth looking out for.
Best for: An easy town-based outing, gardens and picnics
Cost: Castle grounds free; Keep costs extra
Parking: Use Guildford town centre parking
Location: Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3UW
Horton Country Park
Horton Country Park is huge – around 400 acres of fields, woodland, ponds and paths.
There’s no big ‘attraction’ as such. That’s kind of the point. You can turn up, go for a walk, bring the bikes and just see where you end up.
The car park and facilities close around sunset though, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you’re going later in the day.
Best for: Walking, cycling and nature
Cost: Free
Parking: Main car park available; check signage when you arrive
Location: Horton Lane, Epsom KT19 8PL
Leith Hill
If you’ve got older kids who are happy with a proper walk, Leith Hill is another good one.
There are woodland and heathland trails and some fantastic views across the Surrey Hills. The countryside is free to explore, although you do have to pay for parking if you’re not a National Trust member.
Leith Hill Place is also now free to enter, although it’s only open on selected days. Going up Leith Hill Tower costs extra.
Best for: Walks, views and older kids
Cost: Countryside free; Leith Hill Place free on open days; Tower costs extra
Parking: Charges apply; National Trust members park free
Location: Near Coldharbour, Dorking RH5 6LU
Newlands Corner
We’ve been back to Newlands Corner loads of times over the years. It’s just easy.
You get amazing views without having to trek for miles to find them, there are woodland trails, big grassy areas and loads of room for a picnic.
And there’s actually more here now than there used to be. There’s a natural timber play area, Discovery Centre, wildlife garden, toilets, picnic areas, an accessible trail and several waymarked walks.
We’ve flown kites here, walked through the woods and had plenty of slightly windswept picnics over the years. There’s usually the possibility of an ice cream too, which helps enormously when enthusiasm for the family walk starts disappearing.
And the car parks are currently free.
So if you bring your own food, this really can be one of those increasingly rare days out that doesn’t cost anything.
Best for: Views, family walks, natural play and picnics
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Location: Albury, Guildford GU4 8SE
Nonsuch Park
We’ve spent plenty of time at Nonsuch Park over the years. It’s a great one when you just want loads of space and don’t really need a particular attraction to keep everyone entertained.
We’ve taken the boys here for long walks, but they’ve also brought their scooters and bikes. There’s so much open space that it’s an easy place to meet friends, take a picnic and let the kids get on with it for a while.
There are walking and cycling routes through the park, lots of grass to run around on and Nonsuch Mansion in the middle of the grounds. It’s another one that works differently depending on how old your kids are – scooters and bikes when they’re younger, a decent walk when they’re older.
Best for: Walks, bikes, scooters and picnics
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Location: Ewell/Cheam
Mercedes-Benz World
Mercedes-Benz World is a really handy one to know about because it’s indoors, free AND you don’t have to pay for parking. Quite the rarity for a day out these days!
You can just wander around looking at the cars and exhibitions without spending anything.
There are paid activities if you want to add something on, including Little Learners, simulators, The Grid and FastTrax. Some start from just a few pounds, but you absolutely don’t need to book one to visit.
I’d definitely put this on the older kids and teens list too, especially if they’re into cars. I really need to take my youngest back here – he’s massively into cars now.
Best for: Cars, rainy days and older kids
Cost: Free entry; optional activities cost extra
Parking: Free
Location: Brooklands Drive, Weybridge KT13 0SL
If the weather has completely ruined your outdoor plans, there are lots more ideas in my guide to indoor activities in Surrey for kids and teens.
Priory Park, Reigate
Priory Park is probably one of the best all-rounders in this guide because there’s quite a lot here for different ages.
There’s a big playground with a sensory area and splash area – although the water gets switched off over winter – plus a skatepark, tennis courts, football pitches, multisport courts and lakes.
There’s a café and toilets too, so it’s somewhere you can actually stay for a while.
When the boys were younger, the splash area would have been the big attraction. Now they’re older, we’d be more interested in the skatepark and courts. So it’s actually a really good one if you’ve got children of different ages and nobody can agree on what they want to do. Which never happens, obviously.
Best for: Playgrounds, splash play, skateboarding and mixed-age families
Cost: Free
Parking: Check current local parking arrangements
Location: Bell Street, Reigate RH2 7RL
Runnymede
Runnymede is good when you don’t really want a big organised day out.
There’s loads of open space beside the Thames, walking routes and several memorials linked to the Magna Carta, which was sealed here in 1215.
Take some food, bring a football and you can quite easily spend a few hours here without much planning.
It’s free to explore, although parking is chargeable for non-members. National Trust members and Blue Badge holders currently park free.
Best for: Riverside walks, history and relaxed days outside
Cost: Free entry
Parking: Charges apply; National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free
Location: Runnymede, near Old Windsor
The Lightbox, Woking
The Lightbox is useful because it’s one of the few indoor options on this list, but not everything inside is free.
General admission to the ground floor is free, including the ground-floor gallery, shop, café and courtyard.
You’ll need a Day Pass for the galleries on Floors 1 and 2 and Woking’s Story, although under-18s can currently visit those areas for free.
They run different family activities too, so I’d check what’s actually on before you go rather than just turning up and hoping for the best.
Best for: A shorter indoor visit and rainy days
Cost: Free general admission; some galleries charge
Location: Chobham Road, Woking GU21 4AA
Lightwater Country Park
Lightwater Country Park is another one I think deserves a place on the list, especially as both the park and parking are free.
There’s a playground, lake, woodland and heathland to explore, picnic areas and a trim trail. There’s a café and toilets too, so it’s got enough there to make it more than just somewhere to go for a quick walk.
You can pay extra for things like adventure golf, but there’s plenty to do without spending anything.
Best for: Walks, playgrounds and picnics
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Location: The Avenue, Lightwater GU18 5RG
Virginia Water Lake
Virginia Water is part of Windsor Great Park and definitely feels a bit grander than your average Sunday walk.
The lake is huge, and there’s actually stuff to spot as you go around, including the Cascade waterfall, Totem Pole and Leptis Magna ruins.
We’ve always found walks go down much better when there’s something to find along the way. Announcing that we’re all ‘going for a lovely walk’ has never exactly been met with wild enthusiasm in our house.
Access is free, but parking isn’t. Check the current Windsor Great Park charges before you go.
Best for: Longer walks, scenery and older kids
Cost: Free entry
Parking: Charges apply
Location: Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park
Just over the Surrey border
Richmond Park
Yes, technically Greater London. But if you live in north Surrey it’s probably closer than loads of places that actually have a Surrey postcode, so I’m including it.
We’ve had plenty of days out here over the years. We’d usually take a picnic with us, then treat the boys to an ice cream while we were there.
When they were younger we’d bring pretty much everything with us – scooters, bikes, a football and games. We’ve spent hours here with friends while the kids just played and ran around, which is exactly the sort of easy day out I miss now they’re older!
There’s loads of space to explore, plus walking and cycling routes, the Isabella Plantation, King Henry’s Mound, a playground and, of course, the deer.
And both entry and parking are free, so if you take your own food (ice creams aside!) it really doesn’t have to cost much at all.
Opening arrangements can change during the deer culls, so have a quick check before travelling around those times.
Best for: Picnics, bikes, scooters, football, walks and meeting up with friends
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Location: Richmond TW10 5HS
Free things to do in Surrey with older kids and teens
Free days out definitely get a bit trickier once the kids become teenagers.
When they were little, a decent playground could buy us hours. These days? Not so much.
We’ve found that somewhere they can actually do something tends to work better. Bikes, a decent walk, somewhere interesting to explore or ideally something with a bit of competition involved.
For older kids and teens, I’d look at:
- Brooklands Community Park for bikes, BMX and skateboarding
- Richmond Park for cycling and longer walks
- Mercedes-Benz World if they’re into cars
- Box Hill for a proper walk
- Virginia Water for a longer route with things to see along the way
- Priory Park for the skatepark and sports courts
- Newlands Corner for walks, views and somewhere to meet friends
- Nonsuch Park for bikes, scooters and longer walks
- Leith Hill for a proper walk and some brilliant Surrey Hills views
And if free isn’t essential but you’re trying not to spend an absolute fortune, go karting in Surrey and adventure golf in Surrey are two things we’ve found work particularly well as the boys have got older.
Free Parks and Playgrounds in Surrey
If what you really need is a playground rather than a ‘lovely family walk’, I’d narrow it down to these:
Priory Park, Reigate – probably the best all-rounder, with a big playground, sensory and splash areas, skatepark and sports courts.
Frimley Lodge Park – two playgrounds, loads of open space and free parking.
Lightwater Country Park – playground, woodland, heathland and a lake, plus free parking.
Bushy Park – a really good playground plus an enormous park to explore afterwards.
Brooklands Community Park – better for older kids thanks to the BMX and skate facilities.
Newlands Corner – more natural play than traditional playground equipment, which makes a nice change.
Free walks in Surrey
If everyone’s happy just getting outside, we’re pretty spoilt for choice around Surrey.
For something easy, I’d go for Newlands Corner, Nonsuch Park or Runnymede.
If you want more of a proper walk, try Box Hill, Leith Hill, Denbies Hillside or Virginia Water.
And if you don’t mind crossing the Surrey border, Richmond Park and Bushy Park give you huge amounts of space without paying for entry or parking.
Parking is the thing to watch with some of these. Quite a few of Surrey’s best countryside spots are completely free to explore but definitely not free to park at.
Free Days Out in Surrey FAQs
Are there really free days out in Surrey for families?
Yes! Newlands Corner, Priory Park, Frimley Lodge Park and Mercedes-Benz World are all places you can visit without paying an entrance fee, and some have free parking too.
Others, including Box Hill, Alice Holt and Virginia Water, are free to enter but charge for parking. That’s why I’ve included the parking information throughout rather than pretending every single one is a completely £0 day.
What are the best completely free days out in Surrey?
I’d probably pick Newlands Corner. Entry and parking are both free, and you’ve got walks, views, natural play, picnic areas and toilets.
Frimley Lodge Park, Lightwater Country Park and Mercedes-Benz World are also good ones if you specifically want somewhere with free entry and free parking.
What are the best free parks in Surrey for kids?
Priory Park in Reigate and Frimley Lodge Park would be two of my first choices if you specifically want playgrounds.
Priory Park also has a splash area in warmer months, plus a skatepark and sports courts, so it works particularly well if you’ve got children of different ages.
Are there free indoor things to do in Surrey?
There are, just not as many as the outdoor ones.
Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge has free entry and free parking, although there are paid activities you can add on.
The Lightbox in Woking has free general admission to the ground floor, while some of the other galleries require a Day Pass.
For more rainy-day ideas, have a look at my indoor activities in Surrey guide.
Where can we go for a free walk in Surrey?
Box Hill, Newlands Corner, Denbies Hillside, Runnymede and Virginia Water are all free to explore.
If you want to keep the whole trip free, Newlands Corner is a particularly good one because the car parks are currently free too.
What free days out in Surrey are good for teenagers?
Brooklands Community Park is good for BMX, bikes and skateboarding, while Priory Park has a skatepark and sports courts.
For something less structured, Nonsuch Park, Box Hill, Leith Hill, Virginia Water and nearby Richmond Park work well for longer walks, bikes or just getting outside.
Mercedes-Benz World is another one I’d try, especially if they’re into cars.
Do you have to pay for parking at free attractions in Surrey?
Sometimes, and this is the bit that’s easy to miss.
Newlands Corner, Frimley Lodge Park, Lightwater Country Park and Mercedes-Benz World currently have free parking. Places including Box Hill, Alice Holt, Denbies Hillside, Frensham Great Pond and Virginia Water charge.
I’ve included the parking situation for each place above, but I’d still check before you leave home. Parking charges have an annoying habit of changing!
More Surrey days out ideas
If you’re trying to fill yet another school holiday, these might help too:
- Things to do in Surrey with kids
- Indoor activities in Surrey for kids and teens
- Water parks and lidos in Surrey
- Go karting in Surrey
- Adventure golf in Surrey and London
- Family-friendly restaurants in Surrey
Not every family day out needs tickets, a booking confirmation and military-level planning.
Sometimes chucking some snacks in a bag and getting everyone out of the house for a couple of hours is enough.
And now the boys are older, I’ve realised the free days out haven’t really stopped. We’ve just swapped playgrounds and themed trails for bikes, longer walks and places where two teenagers aren’t going to announce they’re bored after ten minutes.
Although I still wouldn’t leave home without snacks. Some things don’t change.
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