Surrey is a county where nature, history, and artistry come together. From palace grounds, riverside walks, and carefully designed gardens, Surrey offers an array of green spaces that appeal to both casual visitors and keen explorers. To spend time in Surrey’s parks is not only to enjoy fresh air, but also to connect with the stories and traditions that shaped them. There are also wilder spaces, where the land itself is the main attraction and the reward is simply the view. Taken together, they form a kind of outdoor collection, changing with the seasons and rewarding repeat visits.
Whether heading out for a gentle stroll, a day trip with the family, or a visit simply to pause and take in the view, these parks represent some of the county’s finest invitations to step outside.
Hampton Court Palace
On the banks of the River Thames at East Molesey, Hampton Court Palace is not only a treasure of English history, but also one of Surrey’s most rewarding outdoor parks. Whilst the palace itself was once Henry VIII’s grand stage, it is now the riverside setting and surrounding parkland that invites visitors to wander at leisure. A walk through Home Park will satisfy those who wish to recall the park’s Tudor origins. Walkers can choose to follow the grand Long Water canal past the lime trees, or visit the Privy Garden, which has been meticulously restored to William III’s 17th-century design. For a lighter diversion, Britain’s oldest surviving hedge maze, the Hampton Court Maze, has entertained visitors for over three centuries.
The riverside paths that edge the palace grounds provide yet another viewpoint, a peaceful walk beside the Thames where the palace can be seen in a stately silhouette. With its combination of formal gardens, wild parkland, and riverside charm, Hampton Court is a place where every step connects to history, and an essential visit for anyone exploring Surrey’s finest landscapes.
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Painshill Park
Painshill Park, near Cobham, is widely regarded as a masterpiece of 18th-century landscape design. Created in the mid-18th century by Charles Hamilton, this Grade I-listed garden was designed as a “living painting,” with each view carefully staged to evoke an emotional response. For the walker, its four-mile circuit is less a route to follow and more a series of experiences to unfold. The Gothic Temple, the lakeside bridges, and Britain’s largest grotto form focal points that still astonish today.
Hamilton’s vision can be brought to life as visitors join guided tours around Painshill to encounter art, architecture, and nature. Families will find spacious lawns for picnics or paths guided by trees that make for safe exploration. Seasonal events take place here, including wildlife-rich adventures in the summer, and enchanting fairy-tale routes in winter. Education and engagement remain at the heart of Painshill, with outdoor learning programmes, Forest School experiences, and hands-on events that ensure the landscape is as alive today as it was in Hamilton’s time.
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Winkworth Arboretum (Godalming)
Situated in the Surrey Hills just outside of Godalming, Winkworth Arboretum is a National Trust treasure created in the mid-20th century by Dr Wilfrid Fox, a physician with a passion for horticulture. Once conceived as a place where visitors could explore a carefully composed arrangement of trees, water, and open ground, Winkworth Arboretum today remains one of Surrey’s most atmospheric walking destinations.
With a route for every walker, Winkworth offers choices of paths, including a step-free loop across the upper hill, a mid-length circuit for taking in some of the finest views, or a full walk that loops around the water. There are diversions too. The Boathouse, set on the water’s edge, makes for a natural pause point, whilst families will find the Tree Adventure play area discreetly tucked amongst the trees. After a walk, the Arbor Tearoom offers a civilised break, with coffee, tea and light lunches served in a relaxed setting. Winkworth Arboretum stands as one of Surrey’s most rewarding parks, combining history, variety, and a landscape designed to be discovered on foot.
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Box Hill (Tadworth, Surrey Hills)
Box Hill, one of the crown jewels of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is renowned for its panoramic views across the Mole Valley and beyond. Rising steeply above the River Mole, it offers both invigorating walking routes and accessible paths, making it a favourite for hikers, naturalists, and families alike. Its slopes have inspired poets and painters, and in more recent times, the zigzag road has become an iconic climb amongst amateurs and fans alike, having featured in the 2012 London Olympics.
Families will find plenty of space for picnics and play. The Natural Play Trail, an accessible two-mile loop through the woods with rope bridges, tree‑climbing spots, and den-building opportunities, is perfect for imaginative outdoor play. Those interested in heritage can trace the hill’s ancient trackways, which date back to the Bronze Age and Roman times, and there are also specialist guided hikes, such as a 10 km exploration of the hill’s hidden features, scheduled periodically. Victorian visitors made Box Hill a fashionable leisure retreat, and it remains popular for gatherings, nature study, and outdoor events. Far more than a viewpoint, Box Hill welcomes thousands of visitors each year who come to enjoy its scenery, history, and atmosphere, earning its place as one of Surrey’s great open-air destinations.
Surrey’s parks remind us that its panorama can be both timeless yet ever-changing. To walk through Hampton Court is to sense the weight of royal ambition, whilst Box Hill’s landscape itself takes centre stage. This diversity is what makes Surrey’s green spaces so rewarding. Each park tells a different story, but together, they form a landscape that can be revisited time and again, with each season offering something new.
