In Defense of Surrey

Surrey

WHERE: Southern United Kingdom

WHY: Gorgeous hiking trails, fantastic pubs, peace and quiet.

HOW LONG FOR: 3 nights (in different locations)

Internationally, Surrey gets a bad rap. Known as a sleepy series of villages, teeming with wealthy commuters to London, and filled with winding back-roads with little to see, this region of England is generally low on most travellers lists of places to see. However, after being forced into spending a week there whilst we waited to purchase our campervan, I’d like to think we started to form some sort of educated understanding of the Surrey region.

PUBS

The Surrey region is fill to bursting with country pubs. Whilst some are part of larger chains, such as Wetherspoons or Fullers, the area still has some awesome pubs that are definitely worth visiting in the area. Most will be busy anytime after midday, any day of the week. Each of the pubs we visited, whilst expensive, provided awesome food, excellent beer, and some fantastic banter with whomever was behind the bar. Surrey’s pubs are second to none in the U.K. Read here for our favourites.

NATURE

Surrey isn’t designated as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ for nothing, and the Surrey Hills provide the visitor some awesome chances to get into nature, all a half hours drive from London. In particular, the hills around Shere, Gomshall and Woking all have some fantastic hiking trails. I’d recommend visiting during Autumn, where the trees will be golden brown and russet, and the paths will be strewn with leaves. The experience of taking day hikes around Surrey are some of my fondest within the U.K

GUILDFORD

As far as ‘The Capital’ of such a small region can go, Guildford has a lot to offer the visitor. Nestled along a steep hillside, and cradling it’s magnificent castle complex, Guildford is a tiny dash of cosmopolitanism in the otherwise sleepy Surrey region. Full to bursting with students at one of the three local universities, Guildford is a vibrant town, and will provide the visitor a good chance to shop, drink and eat some decadent food. My pick for when in town is to visit two local landmarks, Guildford Castle and the Star Tavern, take a walk around the imposing castle grounds before posting up at close by Pub where The Stranglers played their first ever gig.

THE QUIET

Despite being only an hour’s drive from London, the Surrey Hills area provides tranquillity, rest and a good degree of calm close to the city. After the madness that is London, we definitely enjoyed the experience of being able to hide away in Surrey for a week, pottering away on walking trails, having quiet beers in country pubs, or in just reading at one of the many viewpoints, camping areas or cafes that dot the countryside. For anybody needing a tonic from big city living, Surrey can provide that in spades and then some.

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