Holiday rentals in Surrey

Located just to the south of London (you can easily travel to the capital in half an hour or so), Surrey is a county of surprises. It features an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Surrey Hills to the southwest), vineyards, waterways, ancient villages, historic towns, and bustling conurbations such as Guildford and Woking. It also contains the most wooded areas of any county in England, meaning there are plenty of outdoor options here, from taking a relaxing amble to mountain biking around Box Hill, kayaking at Mercers Lake, or tackling an aerial assault course in Alice Holt Forest.

For culture mavens, the area has inspired many artists and writers. There are sculpture parks, such as the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden near Ockley, and galleries, including the original home and studio of George and Mary Watts, which now exhibits work by a number of esteemed Victorian artists. Surrey is crammed full of history, too, such as the site of the signing of Magna Carta at Runnymede and Waverley Abbey, England’s first Cistercian monastery.

With so much history, scenic landscapes, and leisure distractions on offer, you can visit Surrey at any time of the year and not be disappointed. Thanks to its location in southern England, the climate is a little more temperate than other parts of the country, and you’re unlikely to encounter extreme weather conditions. July is the hottest month, and October sees the most rainfall. The beautiful Surrey Hills are a vision in spring, while the county’s many woods and forests are a delight in autumn. Don’t miss the countywide celebration Surrey Day on the first Saturday in May, with live events, street parties, and craft workshops in towns and villages across the region. Guildford has an acclaimed music festival in March and a theater and performing arts Fringe Festival throughout the summer months.

Hampton Court Palace

Feeling regal? This majestic palace, once home to Henry VIII, will take your breath away. Magnificent state rooms, crammed full of royal history and aristocratic opulence, are surrounded by 60 acres of astonishing gardens. The grounds feature the world’s oldest maze and an additional 750 acres of parkland where you might see a deer or two. There are temporary exhibitions and events at the palace throughout the year as well as fascinating guided tours.

Surrey Hills

The glorious Surrey Hills stretch across a quarter of the county, from Farnham in the west to Oxted in the east. The landscape is ever changing, featuring chalk downs, rich grasslands, heavily wooded areas, acid heaths, and rolling hills. Here you’ll find spellbinding countryside and hidden gems, such as the spectacular Tillingbourne Waterfall and the delightful views from the Devil’s Punch Bowl. There’s hiking, cycle routes, and lots of lovely villages and hamlets to explore.

Brookwood Cemetery

This 220-acre site is one of the largest cemeteries in Western Europe, with a number of notable figures buried here alongside 18 listed historical structures. The cemetery, also known as the London Necropolis, was established in 1852, and was once served by its own dedicated railway line. Now the site is a tranquil haven of fascinating plant life and wonderful trails that are open year-round.