Surrey Day 2026

Eighth annual Surrey Day hailed as “best yet”

The eighth annual Surrey Day took place on Saturday 9th May, celebrating all that’s great about life in Surrey.

The scientist and TV presenter Dame Maggie Aderin was this year’s Surrey Day ambassador. She spent time with members of Girlguiding Surrey East, earning the first ever Surrey Day badge at Horton Country Park in Epsom. Nearly 200 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers enjoyed a selection of challenges including a maze, planning a desert island and compass point games.

Numerous attractions across the county opened their doors to the public. Many of the events focussed on this year’s themes: Exploring Surrey Underground and Surrey’s Hidden Treasures. Highlights included the opening of the Limpsfield air raid shelters, for visitors to find out how they were used during World War II. Meanwhile, Guildford Museum offered people the chance to handle some fossils and discover what used to be under our feet millions of years ago. There were celebrations in towns including Dorking and Oxted.

BBC Radio Surrey broadcast a special day of programmes. Presenter James Cannon spent the morning in Epsom, where a new mural of the town was unveiled. Meanwhile, presenter and Deputy Lieutenant, Mark Carter was in Godstone, a village that has now endured fifteen months of disruption following the road collapse in the High Street. Flower Farm in Godstone played host to a Surrey Day party.

The Lord-Lieutenant visited various places of interest across the county, including the seventeenth century Dorking caves, the Hello Dorking event, and Kingfisher Farm Shop, as well as Shere Museum. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Robert Fraser’s visits included, Ripley Farmers Market, The Lightbox, United Reform Church, to celebrate Surrey Day with SMEF, Chilworth Manor Vineyard, and Godstone Flower Farm.

 Surrey’s libraries also supported the day, with events linked to the National Year of Reading and Surrey authors. In addition, the Archaeology team prepared content focused on the theme of ‘Roman Surrey beneath our feet’.

 The Surrey Poet Laureate Adam Gary, who is the president and founder of the Surrey Poetry Society, was also commissioned to write a special poem in celebration of Surrey.

Surrey Day is managed by BBC Radio Surrey, Visit Surrey, and the Surrey Lieutenancy, in partnership with a range of charities and other organisations. with the local community very  much the heart.

“Whether you live or work in Surrey, or a visitor to the County, Surrey Day remains a fantastic opportunity to remind everyone of the wonderful places that we have on our doorstep. It’s always a day packed full of smiles and celebration,”

Chair of Visit Surrey, Christine Howard DL,

Mark Carter DL, who founded Surrey Day commented: “This was easily the biggest and best Surrey Day to date, with more events than ever before and social media awash with posts celebrating the county. We were also extremely fortunate to enlist Dame Maggie Aderin as this year’s ambassador.”

HM Lord-Lieutenant – The sun shone on Surrey Day, which was enjoyed by us all.  All the venues hard worked so hard to produce a special day.  Sarah and I thought it was the best Surrey Day to date, roll on 2027!

Surrey Day will return on Saturday 8th May 2027. You can keep updated by following @SurreyDayUK on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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