Arts and Performing Arts Holiday Camps in Surrey: Drama, Art, Film and Music for Ages 4 to 18
Surrey families looking for creative holiday camps have a genuinely wide choice. Stagecoach Performing Arts Guildford (GU1 2SG) runs popular drama and musical theatre workshops across the school holidays, while Sparks Film School Guildford (GU2 7AT) gives children aged 7 to 18 a week of hands-on filmmaking. For art, art-K Worplesdon (GU2 9PB) runs holiday workshops across the summer and half-terms. Whether your child wants to act, paint, animate or sing, there is a camp within reach.
Surrey Arts Holiday Camps at a Glance
| Camp | Location | Ages | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stagecoach Guildford | GU1 2SG | 4–18 | Drama, dance, singing | National franchise, multiple Surrey locations |
| Sparks Film School Guildford | GU2 7AT | 7–18 | Filmmaking | Also in Dorking and Farnham |
| art-K Worplesdon | GU2 9PB | 4+ | Visual art | Multiple Surrey studios |
| Perform Guildford | GU1 2AZ | 4–8 | Drama, confidence | Younger children focus |
| COmotion Theatre School | GU19 5JY | 4–18 | Theatre, musical theatre | Bagshot, north-west Surrey |
| Big Bold Youth | RH4 1PQ | 5–18 | Performance, creativity | Dorking base |
| Charterhouse Club Holiday Courses | GU7 2DX | 4–16 | Multi-activity incl. arts | Godalming, excellent facilities |
| Dreamcatchers Holiday Camps | TW18 1YA | 4–12 | Arts, crafts, drama | Staines, north Surrey |
| Fudge Animation Studios | GU9 7SD | 7–16 | Animation, digital art | Farnham |
| Popcorn Musical Theatre | GU22 9AT | 5–16 | Musical theatre | Woking |
The camps and activities in this guide have been included based on parent recommendations, Google ratings and publicly available information. KidzRGoGo has no commercial relationship with any provider listed and does not approve, inspect or endorse them. Always check directly with the camp before booking, particularly for current pricing, availability, Ofsted registration status and safeguarding policies. Details are based on publicly available information and may change.
Drama and Theatre Holiday Camps
Performing arts camps vary considerably in what they actually deliver. Some are pure drama: scripts, character work, and a short end-of-week performance. Others weave in singing, dance, and production skills. The best ones are less about producing polished performers and more about giving children a week where they try things they would not normally try.
Stagecoach Performing Arts
Stagecoach Performing Arts Guildford (GU1 2SG) is part of the national Stagecoach franchise, which has been running since 1988. Classes and holiday workshops cover drama, dance and singing, with sessions typically grouped by age so a seven-year-old is not sharing a stage with a sixteen-year-old. Stagecoach has several Surrey locations worth knowing about alongside Guildford: Stagecoach Dorking (RH4 1LY), Stagecoach Farnham and Alton (GU9 8LU), Stagecoach Camberley (GU17 0NY) and Stagecoach Redhill (RH1 2LQ). Holiday workshops run through the main school breaks; check the specific location for dates. The franchise model means quality can vary between principals, so it is worth reading recent Google reviews for whichever branch is nearest to you before booking.
Perform Guildford
Perform Guildford (GU1 2AZ) sits at the younger end of the performing arts market, with a focus on children aged four to eight. Sessions use drama, movement and games to build confidence and communication skills. The emphasis is less on putting on a show and more on encouraging shy children to find their voice in a supportive group. Parents who have a younger child nervous about more structured drama classes often find this a useful first step. Perform runs holiday workshops as well as term-time classes; book early as the younger age groups can fill quickly.
COmotion Theatre School
COmotion Theatre School is based in Bagshot (GU19 5JY), in the north-west corner of Surrey. It takes children from age four through to eighteen, with holiday intensives running alongside its regular term-time programme. Musical theatre features prominently, so a child who likes both performing and singing will find the breadth appealing. Bagshot is straightforward to reach from Camberley, Bracknell or the M3 corridor.
Big Bold Youth Dorking
Big Bold Youth in Dorking (RH4 1PQ) takes a broader view of youth performance, mixing drama, voice work and creative development. It sits in the town centre, which means public transport is practical: Dorking station is roughly a ten-minute walk. Holiday sessions are aimed at children who want to do something creative without the competitive edge of audition-based programmes. Worth a look if your child wants performance experience in a more relaxed setting than a full theatre school environment.
Art and Craft Holiday Workshops
Visual arts camps range from paint-and-potter afternoon sessions to serious week-long workshops where children leave with a portfolio of work. The key question is whether your child wants to be led through a structured project or experiment freely, because different providers sit at different points on that spectrum.
art-K Holiday Workshops
art-K Worplesdon (GU2 9PB), on the Burden Way parade near Guildford, is part of the national art-K chain and runs holiday art workshops through the summer and half-term breaks. The programme covers drawing, painting, 3D modelling, mixed media and papier mâché. Classes are kept deliberately small and non-competitive, which tends to suit children who find large, loud group settings difficult. Adult supervision is required for younger children attending workshops. art-K has several other Surrey studios you may find more convenient: art-K Dorking (RH4 1UT), art-K Farnham (GU9 7RD), art-K Reigate (RH2 9AY) and art-K Walton-on-Thames (KT12 5LW). Check each studio's own schedule as dates and session lengths vary by location.
Charterhouse Club Holiday Courses Godalming
Charterhouse Club Holiday Courses in Godalming (GU7 2DX) offer a multi-activity programme that includes arts and crafts alongside sport. The facilities are excellent, with the camp operating from the Charterhouse grounds. This suits families who want children to do a variety of things in one week rather than committing to a single discipline. Ages broadly span four to sixteen; check the specific programme for the week you are looking at, as the activity mix changes between sessions. Parking is available on site.
Dreamcatchers Holiday Camps Staines
Dreamcatchers Holiday Camps in Staines (TW18 1YA) run arts, crafts and drama-based days for primary-age children. Staines is useful for families in the north of the county, the Spelthorne area, or those close to the M25. The camp is aimed at the four to twelve age range and combines creative activities with games and outdoor time.
Film and Animation Holiday Camps
Film and animation camps have grown considerably as a category in Surrey over the past decade. They attract the kind of child who is already making YouTube videos on their phone but has never had proper instruction in how cameras, editing or animation actually work. These camps tend to be popular with older primary and secondary age children.
Sparks Film School
Sparks Film School Guildford (GU2 7AT) runs week-long filmmaking courses for children aged seven to eighteen. The Guildford site is in the Onslow Village area, off the A3 near the University of Surrey. Participants write, direct, film and edit their own short films over the course of a week, with professional equipment provided. The output is a real film that can be watched back at the end. Sparks also runs courses at Sparks Film School Dorking and Leatherhead (RH5 6EA) and Sparks Film School Farnham (GU9 9HE), which spreads the reach across more of the county. Courses typically run in the summer holidays; places at each location are limited and do sell out well in advance.
Fudge Animation Studios Farnham
Fudge Animation Studios in Farnham (GU9 7SD) offers a more specialist alternative, concentrating on animation rather than live-action filmmaking. Children learn the mechanics of how animation is built, from storyboard through to finished clip. Farnham town centre is walkable from the station, which makes it accessible for older children coming independently from the surrounding area.
Music and Musical Theatre Holiday Camps
Popcorn Musical Theatre Workshops Woking
Popcorn Musical Theatre Workshops in Woking (GU22 9AT) combine singing, drama and movement in a musical theatre format. Holiday workshops give children the experience of working on a show across a week, with performance at the end. The Woking location is central and has straightforward bus links as well as car parking nearby. Musical theatre camps suit children who enjoy singing but find the thought of a solo recital daunting, since the work is always collaborative.
Pop Star Performers Esher
Pop Star Performers in Esher runs performing arts classes and holiday clubs with a music-forward approach. The focus sits on pop and contemporary styles rather than classical performance, which tends to appeal to children who respond better to current music than to traditional repertoire. Check current holiday dates directly with the provider as schedules vary by term.
How to Choose the Right Camp
Age range matters more than it might seem. A camp listed as "four to sixteen" often delivers very different sessions for different age bands, but some smaller providers genuinely mix ages, which can work brilliantly or not at all depending on the child. Ask the provider directly how they group children on a typical holiday week before booking.
Think about what your child actually wants from the week. A child who is already confident on stage and wants intensive rehearsal time will suit a structured theatre camp differently than a child who likes the idea of creativity but shuts down under pressure. The Perform model suits the latter; a Stagecoach holiday workshop suits the former.
Specialist versus multi-activity is another real choice. Sparks Film School is a focused, single-discipline week. Charterhouse Club mixes arts with sport. Neither is better in the abstract; it depends entirely on whether your child wants depth or variety from the same five days.
End-of-week performances or showcases are a strong draw for some children and a source of anxiety for others. Ask whether the week builds to a public show or whether the work is more process-led, and match that to what you know about your child.
For families and carers who need full working-day cover, the longer-day options matter. Check the exact start and finish times, as performing arts camps particularly can run shorter days than a standard childcare model. Some providers offer early drop-off or late collection for an additional fee.
Practical Information
Booking: The most popular weeks, especially Sparks Film School courses and art-K summer workshops, sell out several months in advance. September is not too early to book the following summer.
Parking: Stagecoach and art-K venues vary by location; most are in or near leisure centres or schools with car parks. Sparks Film School Guildford is in a residential area and street parking can be tight during peak drop-off. Charterhouse Club has its own car park. Farnham and Dorking town-centre venues are best served by paying car parks nearby.
Public transport: Dorking station is on the London Bridge to Horsham line and the Waterloo to Dorking line, making it realistic for older children to travel independently to Big Bold Youth, art-K Dorking and Stagecoach Dorking. Farnham station is served by trains from London Waterloo and gives access to Sparks Farnham and Fudge Animation. Guildford station has taxis and buses to most Guildford-based venues.
Accessibility and SEN: Most providers in this guide describe their programmes as inclusive, but the level of specific SEN support varies widely. If your child has particular needs, phone the venue directly and ask specific questions rather than relying on website language. art-K describes its sessions as non-competitive and small-group, which can work well for children who find larger group settings difficult. Perform's younger-years approach is also cited by parents as accessible for children who are not yet ready for more structured performing arts environments.
What to bring: Art camps typically ask children to bring old clothes or a painting apron. Drama and theatre camps generally require only comfortable clothes for movement. Film camps may ask for a charged device or headphones depending on the editing software used; check on booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can children start arts holiday camps in Surrey?
Most arts holiday camps in Surrey take children from age four. art-K workshops and Stagecoach holiday sessions both start at four. Sparks Film School starts at age seven, reflecting the focus on written scripts and technical editing equipment. Some drama camps, including Perform, are specifically designed for ages four to eight as a stepping stone to more structured performing arts programmes.
Do Surrey arts camps cater for children who have never done drama or art before?
Yes. Most holiday camps in this guide are explicitly designed to welcome complete beginners. art-K describes its approach as non-competitive and welcoming to all abilities. Stagecoach holiday workshops accept children with no prior experience. Sparks Film School gives all participants instruction from the start. If a provider has audition requirements, it will say so clearly on its website.
How much do arts holiday camps in Surrey cost?
Prices vary considerably. Week-long residential-style or specialist courses such as Sparks Film School typically cost in the range of £200 to £350 for a full week. Day camps at art-K and Stagecoach holiday workshops are generally priced per session or per day and range from around £25 to £60 per day depending on session length and location. Charterhouse Club Holiday Courses cover multiple activities so pricing reflects the broader programme. Check directly with each provider for current pricing, as rates change seasonally.
Do arts holiday camps in Surrey run in half-term as well as summer?
Many do. art-K Worplesdon (GU2 9PB) and other art-K studios run workshops through summer, October half-term and February half-term. Stagecoach locations vary by franchise principal; some run holiday workshops in all school breaks, others only in the summer. Sparks Film School focuses primarily on the summer holidays. Check each provider's own schedule for the specific term break you need.
Is there full-day childcare cover at arts holiday camps in Surrey?
Some but not all. General holiday camps like Charterhouse Club and Dreamcatchers tend to offer longer days (typically around 8am to 6pm) that function as holiday childcare cover. Specialist arts and performing arts camps such as Sparks Film School and Perform often run shorter days, typically nine to three or nine to four, without extended care. If full working-day cover is a priority, confirm exact hours with the provider before booking and ask whether early drop-off or late collection is available.
Are Surrey arts camps suitable for children with additional needs?
Several providers in this guide describe inclusive approaches. art-K sessions are small-group, non-competitive and welcoming of all abilities. Perform is designed for younger children in a low-pressure environment. For specific additional needs, always contact the provider directly before booking to ask what support is in place. Inclusive language on a website does not always translate to specialist staffing, so a direct conversation gives you a clearer picture.
Which Surrey arts holiday camps offer performing arts rather than just drama?
Stagecoach combines drama, singing and dance across all its locations. COmotion Theatre School in Bagshot (GU19 5JY) includes musical theatre. Popcorn Musical Theatre Workshops in Woking (GU22 9AT) specifically combines singing, movement and drama. Pop Star Performers in Esher blends performance with a contemporary music focus. If your child wants the full triple-threat experience (acting, singing, dance in one camp), Stagecoach or COmotion are the strongest options in Surrey.
Can older secondary-age children do arts holiday camps in Surrey?
Yes, though the options narrow slightly. Sparks Film School takes participants up to age 18 and the older age groups tend to work on more ambitious projects with greater creative autonomy. Stagecoach groups older participants together so they are not in sessions with primary-age children. Big Bold Youth in Dorking (RH4 1PQ) runs up through secondary age. For older teenagers who have outgrown general holiday camps, specialist summer schools at independent schools such as Reigate Grammar School (RH2 0QS) sometimes include arts strands alongside sport and STEM.
What is the difference between a drama workshop and a performing arts camp?
A drama workshop typically focuses on the craft of acting: characterisation, voice, improvisation and script work. A performing arts camp usually wraps drama, singing and dance together and tends to build towards a performance. Workshops are often single-day or half-day events; camps run for a full week. For a child who wants to be on stage at the end of the week, a performing arts camp structure suits better. For a child who wants to learn technique without the pressure of a show, a workshop or drama-focused camp is a better match.
More from the Surrey summer holidays guide
Find More Activities in Surrey
This guide covers arts and performing arts holiday camps. If you are looking for broader holiday cover across Surrey, the Surrey holiday camps category has the full directory including sports, STEM, multi-activity and outdoor camps.
For activities by location, explore activities in Guildford, activities in Dorking, activities in Farnham, and activities in Woking to see everything listed in your area.