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Log in Book an English Country Cottage break in Surrey
Book a self-catering cottage holiday in Surrey
Booking a holiday home in Surrey is highly recommended if you plan to visit south and west London and the Thames Valley. Having a little place of your own to stay, even if it is only for a short duration of a few days or a week, can be so much more homely than an impersonal hotel. It also allows you the freedom to choose the times you come and go, when you get up in the morning or go to bed at night.
View holiday cottages in Surrey
A good place to stay for easy access to south London
Surrey, just south of London is a green but very busy county. It's almost an extension of London in that it's quite built up and residential with good access roads into the city. Heathrow Airport is located here which contributes to the traffic. Traffic jams are common on the M25 approaching Heathrow, so do allow plenty of time. Especially avoid Friday afternoons from about 2.30 pm. onwards when all major roads in the area almost grind to a halt.
Over a third of Surrey is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which in combination with its closeness to London has contributed to its popularity. Because property is so expensive in this area, you will not find many self-catering cottages - the rents that would need to be charged tend to be uneconomic. You may find that your only alternative is to stay in a hotel or look for self-catering on the south west of London or in one of the neighbouring counties like Berkshire.
The county itself is rich in visitor attractions, you will certainly find more than enough to do. There are parks, museums, art galleries, antique centres, zoos, leisure centres, historic buildings, theatres, cinemas and anything else that you may want to visit.
Places to visit in Surrey:
| Birdworld - with 26 acres of aviaries and gardens. Feed the penguins, safari ride, heron theatre, play area - great for kids of all ages. |
| British Wildlife Centre - at Newchapel, Lingfield, Surrey, which has 30 of the 70 species of wild mammal that live in Britain. See red squirrels, otters, woodland habitats etc. |
| Chessington World of Adventure - theme park rides galore, live entertainment, fast food, miniature railway with aerial view of the park, zoo, circus. Lots to do for an entire day for all ages. |
| Clandon Park - at West Clandon, Guildford, for a tour of a 1730's Palladian House, fine china collection, restaurant and talks. National Trust property. |
| Guildford Boat House - for messing about by the river. Hire a rowing boat, narrow boat or just take a trip on the river. Perfect for a lazy summer's day. |
| Guildford Spectrum - Large leisure centre with swimming, ice skating, ten pin bowling. Special deals for families and groups. |
| Hampton Court Palace - particularly memorable palace originally built by King Henry the VIIIth. Tour the palace, explore the maze and gardens, take part in special events if you can. Fancy a lantern lit tour or a Tudor Revelry? Wonderful day out. A joint discounted ticket for The Tower of London and Hampton Court can be purchased. |
| Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden - at Ockley, Surrey. Small but of interest to sculpture lovers everywhere. Sculptures in a water garden. |
| Kew Gardens - extensive gardens with the most amazing trees and shrubs, lakes, pagoda, enormous glasshouses with plants from all around the world, visitor information centre with audio visual presentations, gift shop. The gardens to visit when on holiday in London. Bring bread to feed the ducks. |
| Talbot Walk Antique Centre - a place to browse for something special or a bargain. A list of other antique centres in Surrey via the link. |
| Thorpe Park - theme park for the whole family with rides, Colossus the new 10 loop rollercoaster, miniature railway, farm area, nature reserve, lake with boats, artificial beach (take towels), shows, 3D cinema and lots of entertainment for the family for a complete day out. |
| Wisley - RHS Gardens at Wisley for examples of what a garden could be, best practice, advice and information. Leaders in horticulture. A must for gardeners everwhere. |
Points of interest about Surrey:
- The Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede in 1215
