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.