Outdoor & Nature in Surrey

Surrey has more green space per square mile than most English counties, and a lot of it is accessible to families. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers a large part of the county, with Box Hill, Leith Hill, Hog's Back and dozens of quieter valleys offering walks, cycling and wildlife spotting close to main towns. The commons and heathland around Chobham, Hindhead and Wisley are well maintained by Surrey Wildlife Trust and the National Trust and are free to visit. River corridors along the Wey, Mole and Thames add water based options, from towpath walks to canoe hire.

For more structured nature activities, forest school sessions run at sites across the county, with children spending time outdoors learning to identify plants and animals, use simple tools and build shelters. Farm visits and animal encounter days are available at a handful of farms and smallholdings that open to the public. Some providers run dedicated wildlife days, pond dipping sessions and guided nature walks during the school holidays.

Most outdoor and nature activities are accessible from around three or four years old, and the majority of sites are pushchair friendly for younger visitors. Seasonal timing matters for some activities, birds and insects being more visible in spring and summer, fungi more abundant in autumn. Browse the listings below to find outdoor and nature activities for children near you in Surrey, filter by activity type and age range, and contact providers to check seasonal availability.