The National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, invites families to have fun and experience local places in new and unexpected ways. Taking place throughout the summer holidays, Summer of Play activities will have a family-festival feel.
Why not give new (and old) sports at go at places like Polesden Lacey and Nymans, put your skills to the test with den building and hay bale castles or play pirates at Hatchlands Park and hunt for giant animal art Sheffield Park and Garden.
Designed with families in mind, Summer of Play activities will be dotted around large fields, woodlands and garden areas with plenty of space for picnicking and snacking with cafes close by.
Join in the fun and adventures throughout the school holidays at National Trust places across Surrey:
National Trust Images / Megan Taylor
Hatchlands Park
- Summer of Play, 13 July–1 September
- Pirate themed games, activities and family trail
- Hay bale pirates’ hideout
- Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren – the natural adventure area
With 400 acres of rolling parkland and woodland, Hatchlands Park is one of the largest country estates in the area. Inspired by naval hero Admiral Edward Boscawen who had Hatchlands Park built, families can enjoy nautical adventures this summer. Search for treasure chests hidden in the parkland, enjoy pirate themed games and activities, dressing up boxes and even play in a hay bale pirate hideout.
Families can also enjoy games on the lawn, including volleyball, badminton, football or tennis. Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren will be open - the natural adventure area is complete with balance beams, bug burrow, sculptures and a tree house.
National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
Polesden Lacey
- Join Grizwald the Griffin for Summer of Play 13 July–8 September
- Pop-up Children’s Theatre, on Saturdays 3rd and 10th August – People’s Theatre Company will present A Treasure Hunt Adventure Story. On Saturdays 17th and 31st August, The Cat's Grin Theatre company return with their wonderfully creative and funny interpretations of scenes from Shakespeare's plays. Each performance will last for 15 minutes.
- Natural play area made using wood from the Polesden Lacey estate now open
A country retreat, only four miles from Dorking and junction 9 of the M25, Polesden Lacey has glorious views across the rolling Surrey Hills and acres of countryside to explore. Head to Crab Apple Orchard for a whole host of playful events and activities all inspired by the fantastical world of Grizwald the Griffin.
Families start their journey by entering through a Fantasy Castle Archway, before they step into a large castle made out of straw. Inside the castle they can find a variety of play items suitable for creative, active, and performance activities. Following on from this, they can find a maze with a podium and additional play equipment to enjoy hours of fun surrounded by nature.
National Trust Images / Andrew Butler
Claremont Landscape Garden
Discover the pleasure ground where the young Queen Victoria played. Run around its winding paths and secret spaces, find the nine-pin alley, float in a boat on the lake and enjoy games in the garden.
Winkworth Arboretum
Get stuck into fun Summer of Play activities. Take part in Wild Craft Wednesdays, clamber on the Tree Adventure play area and pick up a spotter sheet to look for butterflies.
Runnymede
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June celebrate the anniversary of the Magna Carta, which was sealed at Runnymede on 15 June 1215. The paddock at Runnymede will be turned into a Medieval encampment where you’ll find family games, crafts, and activities exploring the very special history and significance of this floodplain meadow.
Box Hill
Explore the natural play trail in the shady woodland at Box Hill and enjoy free games and activities at this summer. Take part in the ever-popular welly-wanging, try your hand at quoits and challenge friends and families to a game of boules. Plus there’s spell-binding puppetry performances by award-winning theatre company Smoking Apples.
Dapdune Wharf
Join in with fun Summer of Play activities for families every day in August at Dapdune Wharf. From Big Camp on 27 July to daily boat trips and water sports as well as the Astolat Model Railway open day on 17 August, there's plenty to get involved in on the River Wey Navigations this summer. Check website for activity dates and timings:
- Water days and paddleboard sessions with SOLD
- Gel plate printing with Alison Saunders and sensory play and crafts with Natalie from ArtVenturers.
- Photography sessions with Sam Ivin. Watercolours, acrylics and friendship bracelets with Sarah Rawlins.
- Augmented reality sandbox with Alistair from the River Wey Trust.
- Guildford Shakespeare Company drama workshops.
- ROAR Outdoors sports and crafts including a climbing frame.
- Mythical creatures free crafts and trail
- Crafts with the Community Wellbeing team from The Hive.
Frensham Little Pond
Enjoy a day at Frensham Little Pond this summer. Explore the heathland on a family-friendly trail and have a go at games and sports every weekend. And don’t miss the puppertry performance by award-winning puppetry and theatre company, Smoking Apples.
Hindhead Commons
Get into the sporting spirit at the Devil's Punch Bowl. The green near the viewpoint has a variety of free sporty fun where you can challenge friends and family to sports games such as volleyball, football or bowls. Look out for puppetry performances by award-winning theatre company Smoking Apples.
Leith Hill Place
Bring the family to Leith Hill Place this summer for fun and creative play. Relax in the welcoming house, enjoy giant chess on the terrace, croquet on the lawn or compose your own tunes on the musical instruments, 21 July to 1 September, weekends only. On 3 August join local author, Marielle Bayliss, for a reading from her book Frog's Bog, plus fun frog facts jokes and activity sheets.
Normal admission charges apply/free for National Trust members. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey.
