The National Trust

The history of Surrey

Whatever your interest, the National Trust in Surrey is the perfect location. Boasting three large historic houses, a landscape garden, an arboretum, areas of countryside, a mill and a wharf on the River Wey, there's bound to be something to suit everyone.

Polesden Lacey, Dorking

Home to playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan in the 1800s and the society hostess the Hon. Mrs Greville DBE in the early 1900s. The Queen Mother and future King George VI spent part of their honeymoon there. The Regency house boasts a stunning 'Gold Room', extensive grounds, a walled rose garden and great views over Ranmore Common.

Fact Box

Visit the Polesden Lacey website

Clandon Park, Guildford

Built c1730 by the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni, Clandon Park is notable for its magnificent two-storeyed white marble hall. The attractive gardens contain a sunken Dutch Garden, a Maori meeting house and grotto.

Fact Box

Visit the Clandon website

Hatchlands Park, Guildford

Built in the 1750s for Admiral Boscawen, hero of the Battle of Louisburg, the house contains the earliest recorded decorations in an English country house by Robert Adam. In display is the Cobbe Collection - the world's largest groups of keyboard instruments associated with famous composers such as Purcell, Bach, Chopin, Mahler and Elgar. Hatchlands is set in a beautiful 430 acre Repton Park.

Fact Box

Vist the Hatchlands Park website

Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher

One of the first and finest gardens of the English landscape style. Claremont's creation includes some of the great names in garden history including Sir John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and 'Capability' Brown. The garden was begun c1715 and later Claremont was famed throughout Europe. Features include a grass amphitheatre, island, pavilion and grotto. Queen Victoria spent some of the happiest days of her childhood and married life at Claremont.

Fact Box

Find out more about Claremont Landscape Gardens

Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming

Established in the 20th century, this hillside arboretum, featuring a lake, now contains over 1,000 different shrubs and trees, many of them rare. There are displays of magnolias, bluebells and azaleas in spring and stunning autumn colour.

Fact Box

Find out more about Winkworth Arboretum

Box Hill (nr Dorking)

An outstanding area of woodland and chalk downland with beautiful walks and views towards the South Downs.

Visit the Box Hill website

Leith Hill (nr Dorking)

The highest point in south east England, the hill is crowned by an 18th-century Gothic tower with panoramic views to London and the English Channel. There are colourful displays of rhododendrons and buebells in May and June.

Find out more about Leith Hill

Shalford Mill (nr Guildford)

An impressive 18th-century watermill with well-preserved machinery. Please note there is no car park.

Find out more about Shalford Mill

Dapdune Wharf (Guildford)

Dapdune Wharf, on the River Wey at Guildford, has an award-winning visitor centre with interactive exhibitions. Boat trips available.

Find out more about Dapdune Wharf

Fact Box

For full details of opening times, prices and directions, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast and for details of events and activities throughout the year visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeastevents