Hatchlands Park

At Hatchlands Park, a National Trust site in Surrey, there are more than 161 hectares to explore of accessible, multi-terrain parkland, with trials, activities and play areas.
Don’t miss out on the beautiful Bluebell Wood, a great spot for photos of the kids.
Be sure to check out the Home of Wizard Wix's Willow Warren, which is an all natural adventure area for the little ones.
Join a guided tour of the mansion for a bit of imaginative secret schooling.

Hatchlands Park is over 300 years old, built in the 1750s for naval hero Admiral Edward Boscawen, and has since housed wealthy families, become a finishing school for girls and even at one point a printing press. You can visit the parkland or pop by for coffee in the Kitchen Café all year round. The tours inside the house are stunning and available four afternoons a week, between April and October. This National Trust Surrey site makes a great day out for the whole family.

If you’re looking for things for kids to do in Surrey, strolling through 400 acres of rolling parkland is definitely an experience and the woodland is one of the largest country estates in the area, full of vibrant seasonal colour. It’s wonderful to follow waymarked walks and enjoy the tranquil peace and quiet of the garden. There is so much to be discovered in these areas of the garden especially for the whole family to experience the natural adventure area for children.

As well as being one of the most beautiful parks in Surrey, the house itself is well worth a visit. Check out the paintings on display and the Cobbe Collection too, which is Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments of famous composers, some of which include Bach, Chopin and Elgar. The ceilings and fireplace are wonderful to marvel at, designed architect Robert Adam.

You won’t want to miss the Pony Magic and Have-A-Go-Archery, which are on selected days throughout the year. Your little ones can enjoy short rides around the stunning garden, and led by a handler, perfect for under-12s.

Be sure to check out the natural adventure area at Hatchlands Park, where there are beams, leaping logs, a tree house, a bug burrow, den building, fun tunnels and domes, and more where you can let your imagination run wild and explore the fun this park has to offer.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to dress up like a Georgian! Whenever the house is open, there are specially designed, historically-researched, replica Georgian costumes for the little ones to enjoy. All you have to do is choose a role as either Gentleman, Lady, the Footman or Maid and immerse yourself into the Georgian history of when the house was built.

Check out the events that take place annually. At Christmas, try following the children’s trail or have a mince pie in the cafe. Marvel at the always stunning Christmas tree, meet some donkeys, listen to some carol singing and maybe you'll even be able to meet with Father Christmas too.

What to know before you go

There is food available at the Kitchen Café and Coach House Café, including hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches, pastries, kid-friendly meals and more.
Picnic areas that have benches are provided throughout the grounds and the park.
There is a shop on site selling some lovely clothes, homeware, garden decor, wellies, and more.
There are toilet facilities in the cobbled courtyard, with baby-changing facilities available in the female and disabled toilets, and in the cobbled courtyard, too.
There is designated parking for visitors with a disability in the main visitor car park.
Dogs are welcome, but under close supervision, in designated parkland areas only.

Getting there

Hatchlands Park is located just outside of Guildford.
The two closest trains stations (Clandon and West Clandon) do not have buses or taxi ranks and are at least a 45-minute walk away along a busy main road. A better option would be to get the train to Guildford and then take the 478 or 479 bus from there, which will drop at the park's southwest corner.
If travelling by car, Hatchlands Park is situated directly along the A246, on Epsom Road, which is about 4.5 miles from Guildford town centre.
Parking is free; the car park is 275 yards from the house entrance. In winter, you can access the courtyard via parkland paths only and wellies are advisable, especially in rainy weather.
If cycling, there is a National Cycle Routes, the closest are routes 22 and 223, and these both run through Guildford town centre, which is around 4.5 miles from Hatchlands. The routes of the Olympic cycle race and the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey cycle races also run right outside Hatchlands Park, situated on the entrance along the A246.