Discover our growing variety of seasonal events happening across ßÙßÇÂþ»'s countryside.
2025
July
Heath Week event - Butterflies and other things with wings
Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Join the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership for butterfly walks and arts & crafts activities at Chobham Common. Discover the butterflies and other invertebrates you might find on heathland in summer. If the weather is right, Chobham Common offers excellent opportunities to observe and learn about butterflies, bees, hoverflies and other flying insects, and learn about their special relationships with flowers, grasses and trees.
- Date: Monday 28 July
- Place: Chobham Common, Staple Hill car park, KT16 0ED
- Time: 10.00am to 1.30pm
- Cost: Free
No booking required. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the .
Heath Week event - Nightjar guided walk
Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Nightjars are almost impossible to see during the day, but at dusk there’s more than a chance of seeing and hearing them in their natural habitat. Join the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership wardens to learn more about these stunning birds and hopefully see one or two in flight.
- Date: Monday 28 July
- Place: Whitmoor Common (location confirmed on booking)
- Time: 8.00pm to 10.30pm
- Cost: Free
Booking is essential for this walk and no dogs allowed. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the .
Heath Week event - Reptile and Amphibian Roadshow
Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Come and meet the team from Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC). They’ll be showcasing some of our amazing native species with live amphibians and reptiles! There’ll also be an arts & crafts gazebo and other interactive activities.
- Date: Thursday 31 July
- Place: Ockham Common, Bolder Mere car park, KT11 1NR
- Time: 11.00am to 3.00pm
- Cost: Free
Suitable for all, especially families with school age children – Drop-in anytime between 11am and 3pm. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the .
Heath Week event - Golden Letter Trail
Collect the golden letters to discover a secret word as you journey across the heath. Learn about this rare habitat along the way, and once your quest is complete, come and tell us the golden word!
- Date: Thursday 31 July
- Place: Whitmoor Common, Salt Box Road car park, Guildford GU3 3LH
- Time: 10.00am to 2.00pm
- Cost: Free
Suitable for all, especially families with school age children. Drop-in anytime between 10am and 2pm. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the .
Summer activities at the Basingstoke Canal, 22 July to 3 September
Head down to the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre during the school summer holidays for a whole host of activities including:
Boat hire
Pedalos, canoes, sit on top kayaks and rowing boats are available for hire during the summer school holidays.
- Cost: Visit our web page for details on boat hire costs.
Boats are available to hire between 10.15am and 3.40pm.
Boat trips and cream tea cruises
'Rosebud' is a 12-seater boat available for public trips and cream tea cruises. Return trips run Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday for 55 minutes at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm and leave from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to Great bottom Flash.
- Boat trip cost: £6.50 per adult, £4.00 per child (1-12 years), Under 1 years free. Family ticket £20.00.
- Cream tea cruise cost: £15.00 per person. Please book in advance.
Please book 48 hours in advance by telephoning: 01252 370073.
Pond dipping
A great self-led activity to discover the wonderful species that call the canal home. Packs provided at Visitor Centre reception.
- Cost: £6 per pond dipping pack (+£10 security deposit)
For further details and prices visit the Basingstoke Canal visitor information web page or telephone 01252 370073.
Summer Puzzling Trail
Follow the map, complete the activities on the trail whilst solving clues and learning fun facts. Bring your worksheet back to the visitor centre when finished and claim your prize!
- Cost: £4 per prize
For further details and prices visit the Basingstoke Canal visitor information web page or telephone 01252 370073.
August
Heath Week event - Nightjar guided walk
Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Nightjars are almost impossible to see during the day, but at dusk there’s more than a chance of seeing and hearing them in their natural habitat. Join the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership wardens to learn more about these stunning birds and hopefully see one or two in flight.
- Date: Friday 1 August
- Place: Chobham Common (location confirmed on booking)
- Time: 8.00pm to 10.30pm
- Cost: Free
Booking is essential for this walk and no dogs allowed. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information on the .
Heath Week event - Heathland History Walk
Heath week runs from 28 July to 3 August. Join the Chobham Commons Preservation Committee for a visit to Chobham Common, on a tour steeped in history.
- Date: Saturday 2 August
- Place: Chobham Common (location confirmed on booking)
- Time: 10.00pm to 12.00pm
- Cost: Free
Booking is essential for this walk which is suitable for all. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Visit the Thames Basin Heaths website for more information and to book onto the .
Volunteer at Tice's Meadow
Come and join our rangers and volunteer at Tice's Meadow near Farnham. Tasks might include; clearing vegetation, maintaining paths, fence and gate repairs, habitat management, wildlife surveys and more.We have volunteer sessions running on the following dates:
- Date: Friday 1, 15 and 29 August
- Place: Tice's Meadow. Please meet at Horton's Mound which is shown on our interpretation boards around the site.
- Time: 10am to 2pm
If you are interested in volunteering at Tice's Meadow and would like to come and join one of our volunteering days, please get in touch with us on the following email: countryside.estate@surreycc.gov.uk
September
Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham
The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.
- Date: Friday 19 September
- Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, ßÙßÇÂþ» GU3 1BG.
- Time: 10am to 1pm
Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on .
October
Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham
The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.
- Date: Friday 17 October
- Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, ßÙßÇÂþ» GU3 1BG.
- Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on .
November
Volunteer session at the Hampton Estate, Puttenham
The Hampton Estate in Puttenham run volunteer work parties throughout the year. Why not join in and help to plant hedges, manage the heathland habitat, bash bracken, pop scrub on the chalk downland and more. Everyone welcome whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want more time outside away from your screen.
- Date: Friday 14 November
- Place: Puttenham Common, (Top Car Park), Suffield Ln, Guildford, ßÙßÇÂþ» GU3 1BG.
- Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Please wear appropriate weather gear, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and snacks/picnic. A Hampton sausage sandwich is provided after the session (please bring your own if you have dietary requirements).Sign up for the volunteer session on