Looking for fun family days out in Surrey this summer? Guildford packs a lot into a small space — a riverside town with a castle, an open-air lido and the Surrey Hills on the doorstep. And this July, a very special science show is coming to town. Here’s our pick of the best things to do with the kids over the summer holidays.
🌟 Top of the list: Fun Kids Science Quest – Live! at G Live
If there’s a budding scientist in your house, this is the one to book. Fun Kids Science Quest – Live! brings the hugely popular podcast to the stage, with Fun Kids presenter Dan Simpson serving up the weirdest and coolest stuff in science — and making it far more fun than it’s ever been in any classroom.
Expect hilarious experiments, exciting guests, games and a one-hour journey into how the world works. It’s a Bronze winner for Best Family Podcast and a finalist for Best Educational Podcast at the British Podcast Awards.
- 📍 Where: Bellerby Studio, G Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA
- 📅 When: Saturday 25 July 2026, 2:30pm
- 🎟️ Tickets: from £16.50
- 👧 Age guide: 5+ (audience participation, live demonstrations and flashing lights)
👉 Book your tickets for G Live here
Touring the rest of the UK too? See all the Fun Kids Science Quest Live dates and venues.
10 more brilliant family days out in and around Guildford this summer
Here are ten more ideas for keeping the kids entertained, from splashing in the lido to clambering over castles and farms.
1. Guildford Lido
There’s something special about swimming in the open air, and this big heated 1930s outdoor pool is a glorious summer’s-day favourite. There’s a shallow paddling pool for little ones and plenty of grass for picnics and poolside lounging.
📍 Stoke Park, Guildford
2. Guildford Castle & Grounds
Climb the medieval keep for views right across the town, then explore the award-winning castle gardens below. Compact, central and full of “kings and queens” imagination fuel for younger children.
📍 Castle Street, Guildford
3. River Wey boat trip from Dapdune Wharf
Glide along the River Wey on a gentle family boat trip from the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf, where you can also clamber aboard a restored Wey barge and learn how the waterway worked. A relaxing, scenic way to see the town from the water.
📍 Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford
4. Guildford Spectrum
The go-to for a rainy day or a high-energy afternoon: swimming pools with flumes, an ice rink, ten-pin bowling, soft play and more, all under one roof.
📍 Parkway, Guildford
5. RHS Garden Wisley
One of the country’s great gardens, with masses for families — wander the glasshouse, follow the seasonal trails and let the kids loose in the brilliant outdoor play and learning areas. A lovely day in the fresh air.
📍 Wisley, Woking (about 15 minutes by car)
6. Bocketts Farm Park
A firm family favourite — meet and feed the animals, enjoy tractor and pony rides, race down the giant slides and explore the indoor and outdoor play barns. Easy to fill a whole day here with younger children.
📍 Fetcham, Leatherhead (about 20 minutes by car)
7. Newlands Corner & the Surrey Hills
Pack a picnic and head for the hills. Newlands Corner has glorious views, easy family walking trails and space to roam in one of the loveliest corners of the Surrey Hills.
📍 Shere Road, near Guildford (about 10 minutes by car)
8. Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village
A charming, family-friendly arts destination in pretty Compton, with hands-on activity trails, a sculpture-dotted setting and a lovely tea shop. A gentle, creative half-day.
📍 Down Lane, Compton (about 10 minutes by car)
9. Birdworld
Meet penguins, parrots, owls and flamingos at one of the UK’s largest bird parks, with a farm, a play area and gardens to explore. A great choice for animal-mad youngsters.
📍 Holt Pound, Farnham (about 25 minutes by car)
10. Chessington World of Adventures
For a big day out, the rides, zoo and aquarium at Chessington are an easy hop up the A3 — equal parts theme park and animal adventure, with plenty for younger children as well as thrill-seekers.
📍 Chessington (about 25–30 minutes by car)
Also worth a look
For more outdoor space, the National Trust’s Hatchlands Park (East Clandon) has a brilliant natural play trail, while The Lightbox gallery and museum in Woking runs family activities and is an easy rainy-day option.
Make it a science-filled summer
Whatever you get up to, start the holidays with a bang at Fun Kids Science Quest – Live! — Saturday 25 July at G Live. Grab your tickets before they sell out!
Fun Kids is the UK’s children’s radio station — listen on DAB Digital Radio, online, on your smart speaker and via the free Fun Kids app.
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