11 cool things to do in Surrey on a sunny day

Looking for ideas of things to do in Surrey on a sunny day?  We’ve got it covered.

As a nation, we spend all year waiting for sunshine, but are never quite sure where to go when it finally arrives!  In this guide, we share some of the best things to do in Surrey when it’s hot.  We look at Surrey’s best aqua parks, lidos, swimming pools, splashpads and anywhere else you can cool down on a summer’s day.  Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, or just need somewhere to go yourself, here are our best 11 cool things to do in Surrey on a sunny day.

Fingers crossed the sun stays out long enough to enjoy them all this summer!

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One of the best waterparks in Surrey is Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park, near Chertsey.  They have a gigantic inflatable obstacle course on the lake, which is simply perfect for summer fun on the water.

Children (and adults) will have oodles of fun climbing up and over the floating islands on the lake.  There’s rope swings and slides and a big guarantee that you will get very wet!

For younger children there’s also a sandy beach area near the waterfront, where they can build sandcastles and paddle.  However, keep your eye out where you are stepping, as there’s a lot of Canada geese!

Thorpe Lakes Aqua is undoubtedly one of the best places to go in Surrey when it’s hot.

Postcode for Thorpe Aqua Park: KT16 8PH

If you have toddlers, the ornamental gardens in Guildford’s Stoke Park are perfect for a sunny day in Surrey.

In fact, the ornamental gardens at Stoke Park are one of the hidden gems of Guildford.  In contrast to the main area of wide-open parkland, the ornamental gardens are a neat, landscaped zone with colourful flower beds.

You can expect to see an ornamental lake with water features, a pretty bridge, and Japanese ornaments.  Honestly, it’s the perfect oasis for a hot day in Guildford.

However, the main attraction at Stoke Park for families with toddlers and young children is the amazing paddling pool.  The pool is large, clean and one of the best things to do in Guildford on a sunny day.

Amazingly, admission to the Stoke Park Paddling Pool is free, so you can imagine it can get busy on a sunny day.

There is a small pay and display car park on Nightingale Road which is accessible via the Home Farm entrance

Postcode for Stoke Park Paddling Pool:  GU1 1ER

One of the absolute best things for families to do on a sunny day in Surrey is visit Guildford Lido.  Here you’ll find an enormous outdoor 50-metre public pool with 10 swimming lanes and three flumes.

Around the pool, Guildford Lido has grassy areas where you can relax, sunbathe, or enjoy a picnic.

If you are visiting with toddlers or younger children, Guildford Lido has a smaller paddling pool and mini slides.

Postcode for Guildford Lido:  GU1 1HB

Finally, after 2 years of construction, Camberley has just opened a brand new leisure complex and swimming pools.  From the outside, it is an impressive gold structure, which you can see from the A30 near the Royal Military Academy.  Inside everything is pristine and modern.

Places Leisure Centre is a great option if you want to entertain the family inside on a summer’s day.  Firstly, the main swimming pool is 25 metres long and has 6 lanes.  Families with younger children can head to the smaller trainer pool or the fun indoor splashpad.

Now, if you are looking for activities on dry land, the Camberley leisure centre now has an exciting climbing wall.  With over 25 interactive walls, kids will love this new facility.  Alternatively, if you have younger kids,  try the four-storey soft play area, next to the café.

Postcode for Places Leisure:  GU15 3QH

Buckland Park Lake, between Reigate and Dorking, is another of Surrey’s brand new leisure attractions.  Recently, the former quarry in the Surrey Hills was landscaped into a scenic lake and woodland area.  For nature-lovers it is the ideal location for a shady walk under the trees.  You can even stop at one of the bird hides to spot the water birds on the lake.

If you prefer to get on the water, people of all ages and abilities can enjoy stand-up paddleboarding sessions.  These must be booked in advance through The Surrey Hills Adventure Company (SHAC).

For families with younger children, there is an adventure playground and sandpit.

Admission is currently £7 per hour for adults and £4 per child.

Postcode for Buckland Park Lake:  RH3 7FE

Another of Surrey’s best waterparks is Shepperton Splash.  This has a similar set up to Thorpe Aqua Park, with a large inflatable obstacle course on the water.

For water sports fans, Shepperton Splash has other options on the water, including stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.

Whilst you are here, one cool thing to do on a hot day is a tour of the lake on a banana bike.  If you’re not sure what this is, just imagine a bicycle with bananas instead of tyres!

Postcode for Shepperton Splash:  TW18 4UA

There are plenty of fun, outdoor things to do in Woking Park, including an excellent adventure playground, skate park and tennis courts.  The jungle-themed playground has a pirate ship, slides and a mini waterplay zone.

However, on a sunny day you may prefer to escape inside to Pool in the Park.  Here you’ll find one of the best leisure lagoons in Surrey, with a large recreational pool, a wave machine and several flumes.

The flumes have a “War of the Worlds” theme, as a nod to the science fiction writer, H.G. Wells, who lived in Woking.  One of the flumes, The Martian is for younger children, whereas the Time Traveller is a speedier slide for the more adventurous rider.

Plus, for toddlers and young children there is an interactive water play area with a toddler slide, water jets and a shark shower.

If you want more serious swimming, the leisure centre on the opposite side of the car park has an Olympic-sized pool.

One advantage of Woking Park is the 3 hours’ free parking.  Click here for current admission prices to the pool.

Postcode for Woking Park: GU22 7SQ.

At the far end of the Lammas Recreation Park in Staines is a fantastic splash pad, which is fantastic for toddlers.  Let them run around on the padded floor, play in the spray jets, and generally get very wet.  What a perfect way to spend a sunny day.

After some aquatic fun, there is a small playground with climbing frames, swings, and slides.  You’ll also find a large playing field and free tennis courts at the park.

Admission to the splashpad at Lammas Park is free.

Postcode for Lammas Park:  TW18 4UA

The next on our list of things to do in Surrey on a sunny day is a visit to Priory Park in Reigate.

Priory Park is a fantastic park, with lots of things to do for families.  The centre piece of the playground is a magnificent pirate ship, “The Grey Lady”.  Other play equipment includes a double zip wire, climbing castle and pyramid and lots of swings and roundabouts.

On a sunny day, younger children will love the splash pad, where you’ll find water fountains, jets, and buckets.

Priory Park has a café, and there’s plenty of space for a picnic.

Postcode for Priory Park:  RH2 7RL

The Basingstoke Canal is a perfect place for a waterside stroll when it’s hot, as the trees provide plenty of shade.  However, if you prefer to get on the water, head to Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre.

Here you can hire canoes or kayaks for 60 or 90 minutes.  Or, you might prefer to rent a pedalo or rowing boat and let someone else do the hard work!  Just perfect for a sunny day in Surrey!

We always park at Frimley lodge Park and walk through the park and along the towpath to the Visitor Centre.  Alternatively, you could drive directly there and park for free at the centre.

The postcode for Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre is GU16 6DD.

Finally, if you fancy a trip to the seaside, but don’t want to travel Frensham Ponds is a great alternative.  Here you can find Surrey’s own inland beach.

In fact, there are two ponds at Frensham, Little Pond and Great Pond.  They were built in the Middle Ages, to provide fish for the Bishop of Winchester.

However, today the ponds provide the perfect location for a scenic nature walk around the water.  But, on a hot day you might prefer to get in the water to cool off!  Great Pond has a lovely sandy beach area and two marked swimming zones.  The pond is a registered bathing water, and the water quality is constantly monitored.

Access to the Frensham Pond beach and bathing zone is free, so does get extremely busy on a sunny day.

Postcode for Frensham Great Pond:  GU10 2QB

You may also like:

• 20+ fun things to do with teenagers in London
• 7 fantastic outdoor places in Surrey to take kids
• Family walks in Surrey by water
• 40 things to do in Surrey with kids

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