Our Picks for the 5 Must-Visit Villages in Surrey
A county full of surprises, Surrey is the perfect countryside escape from London—ideal for weekend retreats or longer stays. With rolling hills, peaceful woodlands and quintessential villages like Shere, Chiddingfold and Peaslake in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s a place that encourages you to slow down and soak up rural Britain.
Each village we've picked is unique in its own wonderful way, but if you want to know what's so special about our picks, you can see just below.
At a glance:
Best for film-set charm - Shere
Best for a foodie pub lunch - Ripley
Best for a classic village green - Chiddingfold
Best for walking and cycling - Peaslake
Best for big open nature - Chobham (Chobham Common)
To help you make the most of your stay, we’ve handpicked five must-visit villages, all within easy reach of Lakeside International.
Shere
One of our favourite villages in Surrey is Shere. Nestled between the towns of Guildford and Dorking and sitting in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), this delightful village oozes quintessential British charm. As well as two pubs, Shere has a tearoom, a small museum, and a historic 12th-century church. Film buffs will also enjoy exploring familiar filming spots from popular romantic comedies, including Bridget Jones’ Diary and The Holiday.
It’s also a great destination if you’re hoping to enjoy countryside walks, whether taking in the natural beauty of Silent Pool or heading to Newlands Corner for a wander.
Quick visit pointers (Shere)
- Time needed: 2–3 hours (half a day if you add a longer walk)
- Best for: village wandering + tea and cake + an easy countryside walk
- Best time to visit: spring to autumn for longer, lighter walking days (but it’s lovely year-round)
Ripley
The historic coaching village of Ripley, set on the old London to Portsmouth Road, often appears in Surrey visitor guides and “pretty village” round-ups.
A foodie hotspot, there are gastro pubs and cosy cafés galore, so whatever your culinary tastes, you’re sure to find something to tantalise your taste buds. Plus, its location makes it the perfect lunch stop on your way to or from The Lakeside International.
Ripley is also a great destination for keen cyclists and walkers, with access to waymarked trails meandering alongside the River Wey.
Quick visit pointers (Ripley)
- Time needed: 1–2 hours (longer if you add a Wey-side walk)
- Best for: a relaxed lunch stop + riverside strolls + cycling routes
- Best time to visit: year-round (especially good on crisp winter days for a pub lunch)
Chiddingfold
Chiddingfold is a picture-postcard village not to be missed. Renowned in Tudor times for its glassmakers, it is now often featured as one of the best villages in Surrey to live.
With historic timber-framed Wealden houses and quaint cottages surrounding the large village green, complete with a pond, it really is hard to beat if you’re looking for picturesque rural charm.
For the perfect day in Chiddingfold, enjoy a brisk morning walk in the forest before tucking into a hearty meal at The Crown, and then walking it off with a stroll around the village.
Quick visit pointers (Chiddingfold)
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Best for: classic village-green scenery + slow wandering + a cosy meal
- Best time to visit: spring and summer for the green at its prettiest, or autumn for woodland walks
Peaslake
Tucked away in the Surrey Hills, the village of Peaslake is a top destination for those keen to get away from it all. With single-track roads and a traditional village shop, you can switch off from the world while still only being a 25-minute drive from Guildford.
But Peaslake is most notable for its surrounding forests and hills, which make it a hit with keen mountain bikers and hikers, who can enjoy getting out before enjoying a pint or slice of cake at The Hurtwood Inn.
Quick visit pointers (Peaslake)
- Time needed: half a day (especially if walking or cycling)
- Best for: forest trails + cycling routes + rewarding pub/café stops
- Best time to visit: spring through autumn; after heavy rain, trails can be muddier underfoot
Chobham
Just north of Woking, Chobham is home to Chobham Common National Nature Reserve, one of the largest lowland heathland areas of its kind in the region.
Although not as famous as some of the top villages in Surrey we’ve already mentioned, it has all the essential qualities of a traditional English village. From its 11th-century church to a high street lined with shops, pubs and restaurants, it’s perfect for a spot of retail therapy on your getaway.
Plus, it’s only 20 minutes from The Lakeside International, so it’s the ideal first or last stop on a village-hopping break exploring the Surrey countryside.
Quick visit pointers (Chobham)
- Time needed: 2–4 hours (longer if you explore more of the Common)
- Best for: big open landscapes + nature walks + traditional village high street
- Best time to visit: late summer and early autumn for heathland colour and clear walking weather
Making Lakeside International your base for exploring Surrey’s villages
Our hotel in Camberley is perfectly situated for your break exploring the best Surrey villages. With easy access to the M3 and wider road network, free parking, and our stunning lakeside location, you get peace and tranquillity with easy accessibility to explore more of the area.
We recommend picking one or two villages to visit each day to make the most of your stay in Camberley. You might also want to check out our recommended local attractions and walks if you’re keen to combine your foray into villages in Surrey with some of our county’s best attractions, like Ascot Racecourse.
Plan your Surrey village escape at Lakeside International Hotel
If you want to explore more Surrey villages, why not book your stay today? At the Lakeside International Hotel, we’ve been welcoming guests for nearly 40 years, so you can trust us to provide everything you need for a memorable getaway. Relax in our comfortable rooms with stunning lakeside views and switch off from the daily grind while discovering the beauty and charm of Surrey villages.