As things quieten down at the University over the summer, here are some suggestions of places to visit if you are a researcher looking for ideas of local spaces to stimulate your intellectual mind or escape to in between experiments and data crunching! All hard-working researchers need a break and some fun to sustain themselves…
- If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland, you might like to take a ‘Lewis Carol’ walk through Guildford or join an organised walk
- The Watts Gallery is a stimulating space displaying a variety of artistic works by local artists – a space for curiosity and surprise
- One short stop on the train from Guildford station takes you to Woking, where you can try a adult art masterclass or family workshop at the Lightbox gallery, visit the Pride hub, or talk a woodland walk while visiting the stunning Peace garden
- If you would like a break from coffee and experience a traditional English afternoon tea, try the Tea Terrace. Great for both solo travellers or a catch up with fellow researchers – the décor alone is a conversation starter!
- If you are preparing to celebrate completing your PhD or you want to splash out on something special for your birthday – the Ivy Asia is a lavish venue. You could just skip the food and order a heavenly sharer’s dessert platter which comes to the table floating on a bed of dry ice…
- Try the famous Brookland’s Museum which will offer a unique journey through British history. It is a huge space with a rare ‘aeroplane graveyard’! Learn all about the famous history of motor sports and Concorde. This is a great one for both sunny and rainy days. It is family friendly too. The enthusiastic retiree volunteers are always full of weird and wonderful facts and stories…
- Wisley gardens is arguably one of the most beautiful in the UK and particularly beautiful in the summer. Soak up the sun or remind yourself of warmer, more humid climates in the stunning tropical greenhouse. You can make a day of it as it has a lovely café and restaurant. This is a disabled friendly space suitable for all ages.
- If you are into architecture and like spiritual spaces, you might like to visit the café at the campus Guildford Cathedral, Shah Jahan (the first mosque ever built in the UK), the Wat Phra Buddist Temple or take a run around the famous Grade 1 listed Brookwood cemetery
- If you would like to get active, try the Guildford Ski Slope, Surrey sports park (with student discounts) or the many local rock climbing centres.
- For dog walkers and outdoor visits to see Surrey’s famous countryside, try Newland’s corner or discover the hidden gem that is Silent Pool (complete with a Gin distillery)
- For an introduction to British wines in a gorgeous location, try Denbies vineyard. Or how about visiting a local pub or doing a beer tour at the Hog’s Back brewery?
- If you like theme parks, Chessington, Thorpe Park and Legoland are within less than an hour’s driving distance. They are very busy in the summer, so best to arrive early.
- Summer is full of music and theatre at G live and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous West End musical Joseph and the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat is showing at the New Victoria. There is also a summer festival with plenty of outdoor free music.
- To break away from TV streaming at home, you can catch a movie on a big screen at the Guildford Odeon or Nova Cinema
- For a peaceful location away from noise, why not hire a pedalo, rowing boat, canoe or kayak at the Basingstoke canal centre? You can also take a canal boat ride across this famous canal. For something fancier, you can take a steam-boat ride across the river at Kingston!
Many these places were recommended at our weekly Friday 11am Researcher café drop in, which is still running virtually for all our researchers.
