Free days out in Surrey
Are you looking for free things to do in Surrey with kids? These parks, walks and family-friendly places are perfect when you want a day out without spending a fortune.
Updated for 2026 with some of our favourite family-friendly places to explore across Surrey.
Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays can get expensive very quickly. When you’ve got weeks of school holidays to fill, paying for tickets every time you leave the house just isn’t realistic.
Luckily, Surrey has plenty of places where you can get outside, stretch your legs and let the kids run around without it costing anything. Some of our favourite family days out locally are completely free, although a few places charge for parking.
If you just need somewhere for a walk, a playground that is worth the drive, or a spot for a picnic, there are lots of options.
Here are some of our favourite free things to do in Surrey with kids.
Quick List: Free Days Out in Surrey
If you are just looking for ideas quickly, these are some great places to start:
- Alice Holt Forest
- Brooklands Community Park
- Bushy Park
- Box Hill
- Cobham Mill
- Deen City Farm
- Denbies Hillside
- Frensham Great Pond
- Frimley Lodge Park
- Guildford Castle Grounds
- Horton Country Park
- Newlands Corner
- Mayfield Lavender (small entry fee for adults)
- Mercedes-Benz World
- Painshill Park (occasionally free community days)
- Priory Park in Reigate
- Richmond Park
- Runnymede
- The Living Planet Centre
- The Lightbox
- Virginia Water Lake
Quick Ideas for Free Days Out in Surrey
If you’re short on time and just want a quick idea, these are a few places that usually work well.
- Best playground: Priory Park
- Best scenic walk: Box Hill
- Best for bikes and scooters: Brooklands Community Park
- Best countryside views: Newlands Corner
- Best indoor option: Mercedes-Benz World
Free Days Out in Surrey by Area
North Surrey
Guildford Area
Dorking / Surrey Hills
Woking Area
Reigate / Epsom Area
Best Free Things to Do in Surrey with Kids
Alice Holt Forest
Alice Holt is a great place if you want a full day outside. There are loads of walking and cycling trails, a big play area, and plenty of space for kids to explore.
The Gruffalo and Stick Man trails are particularly popular with younger children. Even if you just wander through the woods for a while, it’s the sort of place where a couple of hours disappear quite quickly.
There are picnic areas dotted around the forest and a café if you would rather not bring food with you.
Forestry England parking charges apply per car rather than per person. Once you are there though, most of the things to do are completely free.
Location: Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS
Brooklands Community Park
Brooklands Community Park in Weybridge is a good option if your kids love bikes, scooters or skateboards. The park has a pump track and skate park, which makes it especially popular with older children. My boys used to love going here to ride their bikes.
There is also a large open space where younger kids can ride around safely, plus a playground and plenty of grassy space if you want to bring a picnic.
During the summer there is usually an ice cream van nearby and it is very easy to spend an hour or two here without really planning to.
Parking is free, although the car park can fill up quickly on sunny days or weekends.
Best for: bikes, scooters and skateboarding
Parking: free car park on site
Location: Brooklands Community Park, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge KT13 0SL
Bushy Park
Bushy Park is one of the largest Royal Parks and it is a lovely place for a family walk. There are huge open spaces, tree-lined paths and if you are lucky you will spot some of the deer that live in the park.
There is a large playground near the Diana Fountain which is very popular with younger children. The Woodland Gardens area is also a nice place to wander around and it is dog-free, which can make it easier if you have smaller kids running around.
If you want something to eat while you are there, the Pheasantry Café is a good place to stop for coffee or lunch.
Location: Bushy Park, Hampton Court Road, Hampton Wick KT8 9AU
Box Hill, Dorking
Box Hill is one of the best known viewpoints in the Surrey Hills. On a clear day the views across the countryside are pretty impressive and it is a great place for a walk.
There are several walking routes to choose from, including shorter family-friendly ones. Kids usually enjoy the Natural Play Trail which has wooden climbing structures and balance beams along the path.
You can also walk down to the stepping stones across the River Mole. Just be aware that after heavy rain the stones can sometimes be underwater.
Best for: countryside views and family walks
Parking: National Trust car park (free for members)
Location: Box Hill National Trust Car Park, Box Hill Road, Tadworth KT20 7LB
Cobham Mill
Cobham Mill is one of the last working watermills in Surrey and sits in a lovely spot beside the River Mole.
You can park in Cobham village and take a short walk along the river to reach the mill. On special open days you can even go inside to see it working and learn more about how the machinery operates.
Even if the mill itself isn’t open, the riverside walk is really pleasant and makes for a nice short family outing.
Location: Cobham Mill, Mill Road, Cobham KT11 3AL
Deen City Farm
Deen City Farm is a small urban farm where children can meet a variety of animals and learn about where food comes from. Although technically just over the Surrey border in Merton, it’s still a popular day out for families in the area.
Entry is free, although there are small charges for things like pony rides or animal feed.
It’s a lovely place for younger children who enjoy seeing farm animals up close and getting a bit of hands-on experience.
Location: Deen City Farm, 39 Windsor Avenue, Morden SM4 5PX
Denbies Hillside
Denbies Hillside sits above the Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking and offers beautiful views across the Surrey Hills and surrounding vineyards.
There are several walking trails and lots of open space to explore, making it a lovely place for a relaxed countryside walk.
Parking is free in the nearby National Trust car park.
Location: Denbies Hillside, Ranmore Road, Dorking RH5 6SR
Frensham Great Pond
Frensham Great Pond feels a bit like discovering a beach in the middle of Surrey. On warm days, it honestly feels more like being by the seaside than being in Surrey.
There’s a sandy area where kids can paddle in warmer weather, plus woodland walks around the surrounding heathland.
It can get very busy on sunny days, so it’s worth arriving earlier if you can.
Parking charges apply.
Location: Frensham Great Pond, Bacon Lane, Churt GU10 2QB
Frimley Lodge Park
Frimley Lodge Park is a large family park near Camberley with plenty of open space and a really good playground.
If your kids need to burn off some energy, this is a great place to come. There are also canal-side walks nearby and lots of space for bikes and scooters.
The miniature railway runs on selected days and younger children usually love that.
It is the sort of park where you can easily spend a couple of hours without really noticing the time go by.
Best for: playgrounds, bikes and canal walks
Parking: paid parking on site
Location: Frimley Lodge Park, Sturt Road, Frimley Green GU16 6HY
Guildford Castle Grounds
The castle tower has a small entry fee, but the grounds are completely free to visit.
In spring it’s especially beautiful, with blossom, colourful flower beds and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view. It somehow feels like you’ve made more effort than you actually have.
We usually combine this with:
- a riverside walk along the River Wey
- a packed lunch
- a wander through Guildford town centre
It makes a lovely low-cost day that still feels like a proper outing.
Best for: easy town-based days out without spending.
Location: Guildford Castle, Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3SX
Horton Country Park
Horton Country Park is a huge 400-acre nature reserve near Epsom and is part of the wider Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve.
It’s open all year round and is great for walking, cycling and spotting wildlife. The wide trails make it particularly good for bikes and scooters.
It’s one of those places where you can just head out for a wander and see what you find.
Location: Horton Country Park, Horton Lane, Epsom KT19 8PL
Newlands Corner
Newlands Corner is a scenic viewpoint and countryside walking area in the Surrey Hills near Guildford. It’s one of those places we end up coming back to quite often because it’s so easy to visit.
There are big open grassy areas and woodland trails that are easy enough for most families, with space for scooters, dogs and slightly chaotic family picnics.
It’s ideal when you want the outdoors without committing to a full-blown hike. On windy days, it’s also a great spot for kite flying.
There’s usually an ice cream van in warmer months too, which, let’s be honest, always improves morale.
Best for: easy countryside walks and picnics
Parking: paid parking in the main car park
Location: Newlands Corner, Albury, Guildford GU4 8SE
Mayfield Lavender
If you visit during lavender season (usually June–August), Mayfield Lavender is absolutely stunning.
Children can explore the fields looking for insects and enjoy the open space while adults take photos of the incredible purple rows.
Children are usually free, while adults pay a small entry fee during the main lavender season.
Location: Mayfield Lavender Farm, 1 Carshalton Road, Banstead SM7 3JA
Mercedes-Benz World
Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge is a surprisingly good free day out.
Entry and parking are free, and there are several floors of exhibits to explore. Kids can look at cars up close and there are interactive displays throughout the building.
Some driving experiences and simulators cost extra, but you can easily spend time here without paying anything.
Location: Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge KT13 0SL
Painshill Park
Painshill Park is one of Surrey’s most beautiful landscape gardens and feels a bit like stepping into a painting.
The park is famous for its crystal grotto, winding lakes and picturesque bridges, and it’s a lovely place for a walk if you enjoy exploring somewhere a little different.
Although Painshill normally charges an entry fee, they occasionally run free community days and special events during the year. Younger children are sometimes free too, which can make it a more affordable family outing.
Even if you do not go inside the park itself, the surrounding Cobham area and nearby riverside walks are still a nice place to explore.
Location: Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11 1JE
Priory Park, Reigate
Priory Park has one of the best playgrounds in Surrey and it is well worth a visit if you have younger children.
There is sand and water play, a skate park, tennis courts, football pitches and lots of space for picnics. The playground itself is big enough that kids can easily spend a long time there. We’ve spent more time here than planned on more than one occasion.
There is also a café in the middle of the park if you do not want to bring food with you.
Best for: playgrounds and picnics
Parking: paid parking nearby in Reigate town centre
Location: Priory Park, Bell Street, Reigate RH2 7RL
Richmond Park
Technically, it’s a London Royal Park, but it sits right on the Surrey border and loads of Surrey families visit.
It’s one of the biggest green spaces in the whole area and famous for its herds of wild deer.
You can easily spend a few hours walking, cycling or just having a picnic while watching the deer roam across the park.
The Isabella Plantation is especially beautiful in spring when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom.
Location: Richmond Park, Richmond TW10 5HS
Runnymede
Runnymede is a wide open stretch of meadow beside the River Thames with loads of space to run around.
It’s famous as the place where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, and there are several memorials you can visit while you’re there.
It’s a great “do nothing but still feel outdoorsy” kind of place. Bring a football, bring snacks and let everyone decompress.
It’s especially lovely in summer when everything feels green and expansive.
Best for: relaxed, no-agenda days.
Location: Runnymede National Trust Car Park, Windsor Road, Englefield Green TW20 0AE
The Living Planet Centre, Woking
The Living Planet Centre is the UK headquarters of WWF and is an interesting building to visit if you’re in Woking.
While the full WWF Experience exhibitions have now closed, the grounds and building are still worth seeing and the centre occasionally hosts exhibitions and family events.
Location: The Living Planet Centre, Rufford House, Brewery Road, Woking GU21 4LL
The Lightbox
The Lightbox is a museum and gallery that explores the history of Woking and the surrounding area.
The museum and local history displays are free to visit, while the main art galleries sometimes charge for entry.
There are also regular family workshops and activities running throughout the year.
Location: The Lightbox, Chobham Road, Woking GU21 4AA
Virginia Water Lake
Part of Windsor Great Park, Virginia Water feels slightly more “wow” than your average park.
The circular walk around the lake is flat and manageable, and along the way you’ll see:
- the waterfall
- the totem pole
- the Roman ruins
It’s one of those walks where there’s always something to spot, which helps keep kids interested.
Best for: buggy-friendly walks and scenic photos.
Location: Virginia Water Lake, Wick Lane Car Park, Englefield Green TW20 0UJ
Free Parks and Playgrounds in Surrey
If you’re mainly looking for somewhere the kids can run around, Surrey has plenty of parks with great playgrounds and open space. These are some of our favourites for an easy, free family day out.
Priory Park, Reigate
One of the best playgrounds in Surrey with sand and water play, climbing structures and lots of space for picnics.
Frimley Lodge Park
A large park with a playground, open green spaces and canal-side walks. The miniature railway is always popular with younger children.
Bushy Park
A huge Royal Park with an adventure playground near the Diana Fountain and plenty of space for family walks.
Brooklands Community Park
Great for bikes, scooters and skateboards thanks to the skate park and pump track.
Free Nature Walks in Surrey
If you’re mainly after a walk rather than a “destination”, Surrey really delivers.
- Box Hill
- Newlands Corner
- Virginia Water
- Runnymede
All offer proper countryside without entry fees. Sometimes you just need air, space and a flask of tea.
Free Days Out in Surrey in Summer
Summer is when these spots really shine.
- Frimley Lodge Park for playground time
- Virginia Water for longer scenic walks
- Guildford Castle grounds for picnics
- Riverside walks when you just want something easy.
Pack water bottles, sunscreen and something easy for lunch, and you’ve got a full day sorted without spending on tickets.
Free Days Out in Surrey at Easter
Spring is actually one of my favourite times to explore Surrey.
Bluebells start appearing. Castle gardens are in bloom. The weather is just about warm enough to sit outside without complaining too much.
Look out for:
- Community Easter trails run by local councils
- Spring walks at Newlands Corner
- Blossom season at Guildford Castle
It’s a great way to get out of the house during the holidays without booking expensive attractions.
What to Pack for a Free Family Day Out
Free doesn’t mean unprepared.
A few things that make life easier:
- Picnic blanket
- Reusable water bottles
- Lightweight waterproof jackets
- Snacks (always more snacks than you think you’ll need)
The difference between a calm day and a meltdown is usually hunger-related.
Not every day out needs to be a big-ticket attraction.
Sometimes the best memories are made on a hillside with slightly squashed sandwiches and kids who’ve run themselves tired.
Surrey has more free places to explore than most people realise. Once you start exploring them, you’ll probably find yourself going back to the same favourites again and again.
Free Things to Do in Surrey – FAQs
Are there free days out in Surrey for families?
Yes, Surrey has lots of parks, countryside walks and family-friendly attractions that are completely free to visit. While some places charge for parking, entry itself is free at many outdoor locations, making them perfect for low-cost family days out.
What are the best free parks in Surrey for kids?
Some of the best free parks for families include Priory Park in Reigate, Frimley Lodge Park and Bushy Park. All three have large playgrounds and plenty of open space for picnics and outdoor games.
Are there free indoor things to do in Surrey?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge and The Lightbox in Woking both offer free entry to parts of their exhibitions, making them good options if the weather isn’t great.
Where can you go for a free walk in Surrey?
Some of the best free walks in Surrey include Box Hill, Newlands Corner, Virginia Water and Runnymede. These locations offer beautiful countryside views and well-maintained walking trails that are suitable for families.
Do you have to pay for parking at Surrey parks?
Many parks and countryside spots in Surrey are free to enter, but some charge for parking. National Trust sites like Box Hill and Frensham Great Pond usually charge for parking unless you are a member.
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