2018 is well underway… detoxes and diets have come to an end, payday has been and gone and love is definitely in the air!
Spring still seems so far away when the bitter winds are biting at your nose and fingertips, yet already daffodils are adorning many a windowsill and flower bed. Have you started making exciting plans for the months ahead yet? That summer vacation in the sunshine, a weekend staycation to keep the romance alive and kicking, a date night, a family day out or a night ‘out-out’ to celebrate something special? The Surrey countryside offers such beauty and we often forget about some of the enjoyable and exciting things we can do right here in our back-yard, so don’t let the Winter Blues get hold of you. Get out and enjoy the plethora of activities and attractions in and around us.
For the kids
If you’ve got little ones (or grandkids) and you’re wanting them to burn off as much energy as possible on a great day out, there’s a ton of activities out there!
An absolute must is to wrap up warm with hats, scarfs, mittens and wellie boots and head down to Alice Holt in Farnham. A hugely popular destination for family and couple’s walks and outdoor exploring. As well as having many walking and cycling trails for all abilities to enjoy, they also have some terrific interactive trails, including the NEW The Highway Rat Trail, based on the latest Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book, who also wrote and illustrated The Gruffalo (which also features as one of their trails, with all the loved characters beautifully carved in wood), or for those looking for a bit more adventure, book onto the Go Ape high wires course and find your inner-Tarzan!
If it’s a dreary day and you are looking for some creative play, the NEW Little Street in West Byfleet is highly recommended. A soft play option with a difference, where kids can enjoy an entire world of themed rooms complete with a medical centre, supermarket, theatre and more where kids can do whatever the adults do. That means working as a teacher, doing the weekly shop or becoming a star! The city even has a series of roads with vehicles, including a police car and a big, old train.
Walks of Nature
Make time for your loved one this month and spend some quality time out in Mother Nature’s back garden, no distractions and a great opportunity to catch up with each other. With the Surrey Hills as your back-drop, there are a whole host of options, from the natural amphitheatre of Devil’s Punchbowl and the staggering views from Leith Hill Tower to the expanse of ancient heathland and wildlife in Frensham and the natural beauty of RHS Wisley gardens. Why not finish off with a nice glass of red and one of our delicious sharing plates that will be available either side of Valentine’s Day… we don’t have the spaghetti meatballs ala Lady & The Tramp, but instead some classic dishes including a ‘His n’ Hers’ Board and Chateaubriand to share (yum!).
A romantic weekend away
If you’re looking for a weekend away to celebrate with your Valentine, our sister pubs, The Stag on the River near Godalming in Surrey and The Red Lion in Odiham, Hampshire, have some great offers for a weekend escape. Enjoy delicious sharing boards, a glass of bubbles and perhaps your favourite cocktail or wine of choice… and make a night of it, by snuggling up in their luxury dressing gowns and finishing the night off with a board-game or two in one of their beautiful 7 en-suite bedrooms.
Offering excellent value Dinner, Bed & Breakfast packages, it’s a great opportunity to recharge those batteries and spend some quality time away from the humdrum and stresses of real life and, after you’ve eaten and drank to your heart’s content, just slip off to your room to enjoy a comfortable and quiet night’s sleep. Awake in your lovely bedroom in the beautiful countryside and enjoy a fabulous full English Breakfast* surrounded by the papers and freshly brewed, Hampshire-roasted Mozzo coffee…you will be fully-charged and ready to take on the world!