An Introduction to Surrey

Surrey is situated in the South/East of England. It is one of the “Home Counties” around London. Surrey County covers 1500 square kilometres between London to the North and the protected countryside of the Surrey Hills to the south. It is a home to over a million residents as well as a centre for business and commerce. Despite being conveniently located to the central London especially for commuters, Surrey is known as the most wooded UK county and it has some very picturesque areas.

Historically, at Runnymede in Egham, King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215.

The county has two significant gardens, one at Kew, the Royal Botanic Gardens and one at Wisley, the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society offers so much more than plants. Kew was founded by the dowager princess of Wales in 1761 and consisted of about 9 acres. In 1841 they were presented to the nation as a royal gift. They now cover 288 acres and contain thousands of species of plants, four museums, laboratories and hothouses. The Chinese Pagoda, around 165 ft (50 m) high, was designed by William Chambers in 1761 and remains a famous landmark. The Millennium Seed Bank, a modern facility storing hundreds of millions of seeds from around the world, is also located here and at Wakehurst Place in Sussex.

Wisley, covers over 240 acres and demonstrates the best in gardening practices. Visitors can relax and admire a huge variety of plants, trees and shrubs, many of which are quite unusual for the UK.

Main towns in thc county include Guildford, Woking, Dorking and Farnham. Guildford is famous for its modern Cathedral founded in 1961 giving splendid views over the Surrey countryside and the Norman Castle, built by William the Conqueror. Now all that remains of Surrey's only Royal castle is the ruined keep. the land around the keep has been transformed into a spectacular garden which is a riot of colour throughout the spring and summer. The Castle was frequently visited by the King John, who signed the Magna Charta in Runnymede in 1215. The Castle at Farnham is still intact; it dates from 1160 and was occupied till 1927.

If you are keen on horse racing or any events connected to it, why not visit Kempton Park Racecourse, Sandown Park Racecourse or Epsom Downs Racecourse.

For the active visitor there is Thorpe Park, one of the most popular theme park in the South East of England, where you can enjoy water rides, laser and other special effects and rollercoaster. The Park is set in over 500 acres of parkland near Chertsey and it is the fastest growing family theme park in the UK. In addition there is also the Chessington World of Adventures, with exciting rides and attractions, amazing animals, and all our family facilities and services.

A less hectic attraction Birdworld in Farnham, has the largest collections of birds in the country, among others pelicans, toucans, ostriches and many others and on the same site Underwaterworld has am impressive collection of fresh water fish.

The county has some significant country houses with Polesden Lacey in Dorking,  Clandon Park  in Guildford, Titsey Place in Oxted.