Coast’s Choice: Surrey
After circulating the west and north of England, Coast’s Choice journey has returned to the south and our neighbouring county of Surrey. There are still a few counties left to visit before we move to the other countries that make up Great Britain, however this week we’re focussing on our favourite tourist attractions in the area that boasts the largest vineyard in Britain and counts H.G. Wells among its most famous residents!
British Wildlife Centre
Celebrate our country’s finest creatures at this preservation centre, which features more than 40 species of both fur and feathered type that are native to the UK.
Animal lovers can take a walk through the red squirrel enclosure to see these endangered mammals freely limbing the trees, or investigate the hedgerow that houses rats, rabbits, hedgehogs, voles and mice. The centre also features an underground viewing chamber for its badger colony and wetland and woodlands areas playing host to wild birds and animals.
The British Wildlife Centre is open during weekends and Bank Holidays between March and October, with entry costing £10.50 for adults and £7.60 for children. The centre is also open during the week at the same time as state school holidays. Click here for more information.
Nearest caravan site: 0.8 miles
Brooklands Museum
Brooklands was the world’s first purpose-built motorsport venue, built in 1907 and home to many car and motorcycle racing events until the track closed in 1939. Since then the site has been converted into a mecca for motorsport fans, showcasing vehicles and accessories from the circuit’s history along with aviation relics including a World War II Wellington Bomber and a large collection of Hawker and Vickers/BAC-built aircraft. It is also now home to the London Bus Museum.
The venue features a ‘test hill’ that still operates today and continues to hold regular motorsport and aviation events.
Brooklands is open every day at 10.00am, closing at 5.00pm in the summer and 4.00pm in the winter. Admission costs £11 for adults and £6.05 for children. The official website contains more information about racing events taking place during the year.
Nearest caravan site: 2.6 miles
Clandon Park
This imposing Palladian Mansion was built in the early 1700s for the Onslows, a politically active family who have produced three Speakers of the House of Commons. Among Clandon Park’s finest features are the grand marble entrance hall and a fascinating collection of 18th century porcelain, textiles and furniture.
The gardens are equally enthralling as the landscape features a sunken Dutch garden and a New Zealand Maori meeting house, transported across the world by the fourth Earl of Onslow in the 1890s.
Clandon Park also houses the Surrey Infantry Museum, which charts the history of The Queen’s Royal Regiment and The East Surrey Regiment during the last 350 years.
Entry to Clandon Park costs from £8.10 for adults and £3.90 for children. The house is open Sunday – Thursday most weeks during the summer, however it is advisable to check the official website as there are a number of dates when it is closed.
Nearest caravan site: 3.7 miles
Runnymede
Surrey features the famous historical site at which King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215. Today, Runnymede is a peaceful area surrounded by woodlands, meadows and a River Thames pathway that are perfect for an afternoon country stroll.
There are a quartet of memorials in the area: a hillside tribute to the Magna Carta, a seven tonne block of Portland stone commemorating John F Kennedy, an inscribed cloisters honouring the 20,000 Allied Air Forces members who died with no known grave during World War II and the Fairhaven Memorial Lodges, commissioned by Lady Fairhaven when Runnymede was presented to the National Trust and now housing a tea shop and art gallery.
Runnymede is free to visit and there are no access restrictions other than the opening times of the facilities at Fairhaven Memorial Lodges. Click here to find out more.
Nearest caravan site: 4.4 miles
The Sculpture Park
Both a shop and a museum, The Scultpure Park exhibits more than 200 pieces of original art from 150 renowned sculptors. Visitors can take a trip along the half-mile trail, admiring the best contemporary pieces from the last century.
Scultpure experts will be on-hand to advise you on the best pieces for your own home, even if your budget is modest, whilst those who are just there for the scenery can wander through the venue’s water gardens to spot several wildlife species living alongside their artistic companions.
Tickets to The Sculpture Park cost £6.00 for adults and £3.00 for children, it is open seven days a week all year round. Click here for further details. http://www.thesculpturepark.com/
Nearest caravan site: 2.7 miles
No matter where you’re travelling to this summer, you can ensure your caravan or motorhome is protected is by taking out a dedicated touring caravan insurance or motorhome insurance. For a free of charge quotation call Coast on 0800 614 849.
Archives
- October 2020
- July 2020
- April 2020
- January 2020
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- October 2017
- July 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- November 2011
- September 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- August 2010