Fun things to do at May half term in Surrey 2024

Who’s excited for some half-term fun in Surrey?  There’s so much going on in Surrey this May half term, your biggest problem will be knowing what to choose.  But don’t worry, we’ve done a bumper round up of the best events, activities and things to do in the school break.

In this guide, we’ll let you know what’s going on in Surrey this half term holiday.  We’ll share the best places to go in May half term and our pick of the top events taking place.

With the warmer weather coming (fingers crossed), we have some amazing ideas for outdoor adventures in Surrey, including animal attractions, playgrounds,  and theme parks.  And just in case it rains, we bring you a host of indoor activities, which includes museums, shows, and workshops.

So, let’s get planning.  Come with us to discover the best of what’s on in Surrey for May half-term in 2024.

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This year the May half term holiday in Surrey runs from Monday 27^th until Friday 31^st May 2024, including a Bank Holiday on Monday 27^th May.

If the weather is dry, one of the best things to do in Surrey is head outside for a super fun day in the great outdoors.  Luckily, Surrey is bursting with outdoor places to take kids, so it’s always easy to find somewhere to go.  Plus, this often provides a fantastic free activity for the half term holiday.

Here’s a selection of the best outdoor half term activities in Surrey:

Hobbledown near Epsom is one of our favourite family days out in Surrey.  It is a great all-weather attraction, with a range of indoor and outdoor activities.  Children can choose from outdoor play areas, an indoor play barn, The Thinkery and zoo and farm enclosures.

Click here for tickets to Hobbledown.

If you’re looking for free places to go at May half term, Lightwater Country Park is a great choice.  It has several  family-friendly walking trails, a playing field, ponds, a playground and mini-golf.

Read more:  Exploring Lightwater Country Park, Surrey

For nature-loving kids, Birdworld in Farnham is always a fun day out.  As well as birds, they have a small petting farm, flying demonstrations, and a playground.

Plus, for May half term, Birdworld has a new indoor attraction, where kids can learn about their remarkable breeding programmes through immersive and interactive play.

Click here for prices, admission details and tickets to Birdworld.

A brilliant place to meet up with friends during May half term is at Virginia Water Lake.  There’s plenty of space to walk, scooter and play.  Families can walk around the lake, visit the cascade or play in the trees.  In addition to this, there’s a small, free adventure playground by Obelisk Lawn for younger children.

Alternatively, you’ll find a brilliant new playground by the entrance to Savill Garden.  However, there is a charge for this play area and you need to book your session in advance.

Read more:  A visit to Virginia Water Lake

For something a little different, head to Guildford this May half term for a scavenger hunt at Watts Gallery.  The scavenger hunt will take your family around the galleries, around the woodlands and through George and Mary Watts’s studios and house, where you’ll crack codes, figure out riddles, use your imagination and think creatively.

Click here for details of the scavenger hunt at Watts Gallery.

Join characters from well known fairy tales on the Spring Bank Holiday (Monday 27^th May) and follow their clues in a treasure hunt around the magical grounds of Gatton Park, near Reigate. This is an ideal Bank Holiday event for families.  Tickets are £3.

Alternatively, celebrate the start of summer with a picnic and children’s activities in Gatton Park on Sunday 2^nd June.

Click here to book:  Gatton Park

Let your little nature explorers find all the bugs and butterflies hidden around Painshill this May half term.  The nature trail is included with general admission.

After exploring the grounds of this spectacular 18^th century landscape garden, children can discover the delights of the Crystal Grotto, an enchanting cave with over 10,000 crystals embedded in the walls.

Read more:  A visit to Painshill Park, Surrey

One of our favourite farms to visit in Surrey is Bocketts farm near Fetcham and this May half term kids can enjoy Superhero and Princess Week.

The half term activities at Bocketts include meeting Spiderman and the Ice Queen, a Bubble Disco, Water Wars, and a Superhero Academy.  This is all in addition to the animals, pony rides, adventure play and famous pig races!

Click here for prices, admission times and tickets to Bocketts Farm

Set within 247 acres of stunning forest, Alice Holt is one of the best free places in Surrey to go in the school holidays.  You can follow the Gruffalo trail, climb the animal sculptures, try the trim trail or play in the adventure playground.  If it’s sunny, take a picnic or you can eat in the café.

Thrill-seeking kids could also take to the trees on one of the Go Ape courses.  Choose from the Treetop Challenge, as well as Treetop Adventure and Adventure Plus, so something for everyone.  Click here to book Go Ape.

Read more:  Alice Holt Forest, Farnham

One of the best ways to entertain younger children is at a farm.  Luckily, in Surrey, there’s a good choice of adventure farms to explore, including Godstone Farm near Reigate.

During May half term, kids can immersive themselves in natural crafts, enjoy barefoot walks, and unleash their creativity whilst painting with nature.  This is on top of all the usual farmyard fun, plus an indoor and outdoor play barn.

Click here for prices, admission times, and tickets to Godstone Farm.

Looking for a place to take animal-lovers this May half term?  Then, look no further than Cranleigh Arts Centre which is hosting its “Wild about Britain” event on 28^th May.

Children will meet an array of British creatures, including a tawny owl, kestrel, hedgehog, common toad and smooth snake, who will reveal the wonders of our native wildlife.  There are also opportunities to handle some of the animals.

Click here to book:  Cranleigh Arts Centre

Surrey is lucky enough to have some of the best theme parks in the UK.  Plus, it has something to suit all ages.  Whether you are looking for fast and furious rides to thrill your teens or a more family-friendly day out for younger kids, you’ll find a theme park in Surrey to suit your family.

One of the best all-round family theme parks in Surrey is Chessington World of Adventures, just 2 miles from the M25 and A3. They have over 40 rides and attractions for all ages, from your most daring teens to a family-friendly Gruffalo ride.  Plus, as well as high-speed roller coasters and rides, Chessington has a Sea Life Aquarium and zoo.

Click here for prices, times and tickets for Chessington.

Anyone with teenagers will know that one of the best things to do at half term in Surrey is a day out at Thorpe Park.  Voted as one of the UK’s best theme parks, Thorpe Park is perfect for adrenaline lovers and thrill-seekers.  With over 30 thrilling rides, it’s one of the must-visit attractions for older children in Surrey.

And, this year Thorpe Park will be even better and scarier.  From 24th May the Surrey theme park welcomes the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, Hyperia.  Are you brave enough to give it a go?

Just off the M25 near Chertsey, Thorpe Park is a perfect half term activity for older children and teenagers.

Click here for prices, times and tickets to Thorpe Park.

If you’re looking for a theme park for younger children, Legoland® Windsor is always a fun day out.  Just across the border from Surrey, Legoland® has over 55 interactive rides and attractions that are perfect for youngsters aged 2-12 years.

Kids can fly through the treetops to escape the dragons, ride the rapids on a Viking Fleet or test your Ninja skills, Legoland®.  They can even gain their first driving licence.

Legoland® is an awesome family day out and a fantastic attraction for Surrey families with little children.

Click here for prices, times and tickets for Legoland®.

If you’re a member, a visit to a National Trust site always makes a good day out in the school holidays.  You’ll find outdoor places for kids to run about, play, and discover nature.  Plus, they often have some additional holiday activities on.

Hatchlands Park is always a fantastic place for kids to get some fresh air and let off steam at half-term.   After a walk around the parkland, head to the natural play area with balance beams, stepping stones and a tree house.

For details:  Hatchlands Park

One of the best National Trust properties in Surrey for families is Polesden Lacey in Bookham.

This May half term you can play a game of mini golf inspired by the 1923 honeymoon at Poleseden Lacey.  Afterwards, explore the house or let the children loose in the estate.  It’s an enormous estate with plenty of space for running, chasing and nature spotting.  Little children can also enjoy the Kestrel Corner natural play area.

Click here for admission times and prices to  Polesden Lacey

What about a day of outdoor fun at Box Hill this May half term?  Pack up a picnic and head to Surrey’s famous hill, where the family can enjoy one of the way-marked trails or the Box Hill natural play trail.

Read more:  3 best family walks at Box Hill, Surrey

Of course, as we live in the UK we can’t always assume that it will be sunny or dry in May, so it’s always handy to have some indoor activities up your sleeve!  Here’s our pick of some of the best indoor activities for May half term in Surrey.

Kids of all ages will love burning off some half term energy at the Air Hop Trampoline Park in Guildford.

Click here for tickets to Air Hop.

Alternatively, you could head to Jump In, the trampoline park in Camberley.

Head to Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking to take part in their Lego Exhibition and Build event at May half term.  Tickets include brick building, LEGO and LEGO DUPLO play areas. Each session lasts for 60 minutes and is hosted by The Brick People.  Tickets are £4.25 (Children below 6 go free)

Alternatively, sign up for the Denbies Dinosaur Train, which takes the kids on an exciting train ride around the vineyard.

Click here for tickets to The Brick People at Denbies.

A visit to Hampton Court Palace is always a brilliant idea for a family day out at half-term in Surrey.

Kids love exploring the palace where the famous King Henry VIII held court.  After exploring the magnificent Tudor palace, head outside to explore the 60 acres of gardens.  Children can have fun getting lost in the maze or running, climbing and jumping around the Magic Garden adventure playground.

Click here for tickets to Hampton Court Palace.

Keep the little ones busy this May half term with the Create & Grow activities at Squires Garden Centre from Tuesday 28 – Friday 31 May.  Plant a tasty veg pot, with three vegetable plants.

Various locations (except Chertsey)

Click here for create and grown events at Squires

Step back in time to the early days of aviation at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge.  This is one of Surrey’s top museums and is ideal for a multi-generational day out.  Explore planes, buses and racing cars or take a walk through Concorde.

Brooklands is also home to the London Bus Museum and young visitors will love a vintage bus ride around the local area.

Find our more about a day out at Brooklands Museum.

There’s more opportunities for children to get creative at the Lightbox Gallery in Woking.  Learn how to create a collage inspired by Grayson Perry on 28th May or to improve your painting people techniques on 30th May.

Click here for May half term family activities at The Lightbox.

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking (15-19 May)
• Puppet Workshops with Mark Goldthrop at G-Live, Guildford
• Rapunzel at Camberley Theatre
• The Hare and the Tortoise at Cranleigh Arts Centre
• Nick Cope Family Show and Pop Divas at Epsom Playhouse
• Zog and the Flying Doctors at The Rose Theatre, Kingston
• Horrible Histories live on stage at Hampton Court Palace
• The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle at Painshill Park (30 May)

• Creative Learning Workshops at The Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
• Pop Up, Dance Up Performance Project at G-Live, Guildford
• Craft Café  at G-Live, Guildford
• Kodu – Build your own video game  at G-Live, Guildford
• Cape-Tastic (drama workshops for 5-7 years) at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford 
• Creative make-up (7-11 years) at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
• Magic & Illusion for beginners (12-16 years) at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

London is always a brilliant place to visit with kids in the school holidays.  Most of the museums are free and there’s so many brilliant places to visit.  If you fancy a visit to London, what about these fun ideas?

• 20+ fun things to do with teenagers in London
• Shrek’s Adventure
• A visit inside the magnificent Tower Bridge, London
• London Dungeons
• A weekend in London with kids: a 2-day itinerary
• Sea Life London
• The Imperial War Museum

If you fancy going further afield at May half term, you could head to the coast for a day out in Brighton or a few days on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.  If you like history, Hever Castle is always popular with kids or you could take a drive down to the New Forest.

Please comment in the box below if you are going to try any of these half term activities in Surrey.  Or add your own ideas.

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