Whilst there are many activities on offer at the University of Surrey, there’s also plenty to do in Guildford and the surrounding area! From day trips to London to pottery and walks around the Surrey countryside, here are a few of the many activities you can do to have a break from your studies.
Guildford is situated in a really convenient location to do day trips to London. The train station is about a 15-minute walk from campus and you can take the train to Waterloo to be in the heart of London in just 40 minutes.
There is so much to explore in London, from free museums like the National Gallery to dumplings and bubble tea in Chinatown to shopping on Oxford Street. A few of my favourite spots include vintage shopping on Brick Lane, walks along South Bank and Covent Garden in the evening, especially when the buskers are around! My friends and I recently went to an immersive exhibition of Monet’s artwork where his paintings are projected around the room, making you feel like you’re in the painting.
Whatever you’re interested in, there’s always something to do in London!
If London feels too busy for you, there are lots of quaint towns and villages in Surrey that you can visit. For example, Shere is a pretty little village with countryside walks and a pub where the Holiday was filmed! If cute cobbled streets and old independent shops are your thing, head to Godalming for an afternoon of shopping, pub food and aesthetic photos.
If you fancy getting artistic, there are pottery cafés in Woking and Farnham where you can choose your item and paint for a few hours. You then leave it at the shop to be fired in the kiln and come back to pick it up another day. This is one of my favourite activities because I love being creative and then you get to use your own piece of art. From mugs to plates, bowls, vases and trinket dishes, you can create something truly personalised to you.
If exercise is your favourite way to relax, then head over to Guildford Spectrum which is a huge leisure complex with a swimming pool, ice rink and bowling. One of my favourite activities is ice skating with my friends and they even run disco nights with fun music and colourful lights.
Sometimes the best activities are the ones that are free! Walking has great physical and mental benefits and there’s no shortage of beautiful countryside in Surrey. For a short but steep walk, head up the Mount for great views of Guildford including the cathedral. It’s a perfect activity for a relaxed Sunday. Me and my friend did this recently; we bought snacks, listened to music and watched the sunset. If you’d like a longer walk, Newlands Corner and Pewley Downs are close by, providing wide green space, fresh air and stunning views.
Whatever activity you’re interested in, there’s always something interesting to do in and around Guildford. I hope this post has given you a taste of some of the activities you can do outside of the University of Surrey and perhaps inspired you to try something new!
