River City People
Kingston-Upon-Thames, the name alone is derived from royal connections and comes from the phrase Kinges Tun, meaning a royal farm or estate. One of only five royal boroughs in England and Wales, the town boasts an Ancient Market that trades all week as well as an impressive pedestrianised high street with one of the largest shopping centres, The Bentall Centre. Its spectacular atrium is higher than the nave of Westminster Abbey and it’s a go-to shopping destination for contemporary brands.
From just behind John Lewis, you can use the River Thames as your guide to navigate all the way to Hampton Court from Kingston Bridge along the river to Hampton Court Bridge. As you meander round, take in all the spectacular riverside properties and marvel at the scenery. Or in the other direction, as you head North up the river, grab a take away artisan coffee as the river leads you up towards Teddington, Richmond Park and Ham House. Either option can be easily accessed by foot or cycle paths.
Getting there:
By car, take the A243 or A240
By train from Epsom or Ewell West change at Raynes Park or Earlsfield
By bus 418 or 406
Walk This Way
From scenic walks around the Devil’s Punchbowl in Hindhead – where legend has it that Thor had a chunk of earth thrown at him from the Devil and the remains became the deep scoop in landscape we see today – to climbing up Leith Hill, the second highest point in South East England; the Surrey Hills is an expanse of wonder just waiting to be explored.
If you’re after stunning views close by, then Box Hill is your best bet. With its iconic landmark stepping stones, nature play trail for children, a fortress built in the 1800s to explore as well as picturesque spots to picnic in, there is so much to discover when you spend a day there and it’s relatively right on our doorsteps, too.
Wherever you decide to head to, it’s advisable to wear appropriate clothing and especially so during our unpredictable British Summertime. Remember, there’s no such thing as ‘bad weather’ just the wrong clothing – so grab a pair of good walking shoes and waterproofs and don’t forget your sun cream and water bottle.
Make A Splash
Through Guildford and a short way down from Farnham, you’ll find Surrey’s very own nearly-beach, Frensham Ponds. Split into two areas, Frensham Little Pond is run by the National Trust and is a bird watchers paradise with over 90 species to spy. There’s also a family trail (dog-friendly too) which takes a couple of hours and winds right around the 13th century Little Pond.
The Great Pond is managed by Waverly Borough Council and boast a beautiful beach that has designated swimming areas, a café and car park. Social distancing measures are in place, in line with government guidance and should be observed. Be aware that the car park gets incredibly busy at peak times. You will be unlikely to park after 10am on sunny days, so it’s not advisable to travel after this time during good weather. So, heed our advice and head out early doors to enjoy a day at Surrey’s very own beach.
Frensham Great Pond, Bacon Lane, Churt, Surrey GU10 2QB
nationaltrust.org.uk/frensham-little-pond