10 Most Picturesque Villages in Surrey

Beautiful Betchworth is characterised by the narrow tree-lined streets that wind around town. The highlight of the area is the crumbled ruins of the medieval Betchworth Castle, which, as legend has it, is haunted by its former owner Lord Henry Hope. That is, of course, unless you happen to visit on Guy Fawkes Night when thousands of revellers converge at the Brockham Church to watch its awe-inspiring bonfire and fireworks display.

While you’re in the area, don’t miss St Michael’s Church, which was featured in the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). The adjacent pub and blacksmithing forge are also worth a look. A few minutes east lies the equally endearing Buckland and its lovely village green.

Ripley is the best place in Surrey to enjoy a relaxing riverside stroll. The tranquil River Wey meanders through the region with its abundance of tributaries and streams. Within the town proper, quaint coffee shops, distilleries, and B&B’s create a cosy and welcoming vibe.

Blues lovers will be interested to hear the legendary Eric Clapton grew up in the village. The Ripley Guitars music shop pays homage to his career. Cricket fans are also in for a treat as the historic Ripley Cricket Club has the biggest greens in the country. If you happen to arrive on the second Saturday of the month, the Ripley Farmer’s Market sells seasonal produce and speciality foods.

Godstone is a brilliant spot to bring the kids – the village is home to Godstone Farm that’s packed full of goats, cows, and ponies to pat, plus a ride-on tractor experience. There’s plenty to charm the grownups in Godstone too, with saintly churches, sprawling vineyards, and scores of old timber dwellings peppered throughout.

Be sure to swing by the village green and duck pond for some nature time, as well as Titsey Place to marvel at the incredible architecture of yesteryear. History buffs won’t want to miss Chartwell, the former home of Winston Churchill, which now operates as a museum.

Tiny Shamley Green is home to one of the oldest continually inhabited cottages in all of Surrey, the grade II-listed Lee Crouch house. Most visitors, however, are more interested in its picturesque scenery and the impressive ensemble of stone-brick cottages. The Village Fete and Dog Show is a must if you happen to visit in June.

If you’re feeling thirsty, the village has 2 homely pubs: the Bricklayers Arms and the Red Lion. Teetotallers, on the other hand, could pop into The Speckledy Hen tearoom for a piping hot cup of the good stuff accompanied by a tasty snack.

Peaslake resides deep in the heart of Surrey, enveloped by woodlands and cut by a labyrinth-like maze of walking trails and roads. The teeny hamlet is home to just 1,400 residents, and for much of your visit, there won’t be another soul in sight.

Cycling, hiking, and picnicking are great pastimes when the weather’s nice, especially around the shimmering lakes of Coverwood. Lively concerts and events take place in the Peaslake Memorial Hall, while the whitewashed Hurtwood Inn Pub is a sophisticated space to wine and dine.

Shere is one of the more populated villages in Surrey, with rows of post-and-beam buildings lending a cosmopolitan air at times. Within them, homely pubs serve frothy pints to the local crowd, while gift shops, galleries, and museums cater to the out-of-towners (of whom there are many).

Drop by the 12th-century St James Church to marvel at its stone-brick façade and stunning stained-glass windows – the site was featured in the Domesday Book and once housed a religious hermit by the name of Christine Carpenter. Outside town, the tranquil Silent Pool has an attached distillery, while Newlands Corner is a wonderful spot to hike.

Chiddingfold was once a village of glassmakers, who converged on its greens each morning to hawk their artisanal wares (the windows of St Mary’s Church are a prime example). These days, the town thrives off agriculture and tourism, with a smattering of charming pubs and B&Bs catering to the London crowd.

Wander around town at sunset if you can to catch a glimpse of the foxes, deer, and badgers in the outlying woodlands. Not far south of the centre are the lush Chiddingfold Golf Club and Ramster Gardens.

Opulent Oxshott doesn’t receive many tourists, perhaps because its well-to-do residents cordon off their streets to keep the riff-raff at bay. Dubbed "the most expensive village in England", the village is home to several celebrities and footballers (Chelsea F.C. train here) in search of the quiet life.

Although parts of Oxshott are indeed out of bounds, it’s a fascinating spot to visit nonetheless. Outside of town, hikers love trudging through Esher Commons and Prince’s Coverts, better known by the locals as the Oxshott Woodlands.

Mickleham is the nearest village to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it a hit among outdoor enthusiasts. The vast national park comes packed full of walking, cycling, and horseriding trails of varying lengths to suit all kinds of adventurers. Be sure to hit up Box Hill and Stepping Stones Walk at the very least, preferably with a picnic lunch at the ready.

Back in town, the moody St. Michael and All Angels church is well worth a look, not least for the burial ground out the back. Across the road, the elegant Running Horses does upmarket lodging and exquisite cuisine.

The village of Leigh is so small it’s easy to miss as you’re driving through. At its centre. you can see the Reigate-stone St Bartholomew Chuch, which has a lovely old lychgate at the front and is topped by a rustic wooden spire. Keep an eye out for an enormous oak tree, which the locals reckon is over 500 years old.

Across the road, you’ve got the Plough, a 15th-century pub run by the same amicable owner for the last 2 decades. Another outstanding option lies just up the road at Seven Stars Inn, which does a modern take on traditional British cuisine. If comfort food and cold pints aren’t your jam, there’s plenty of opportunities to hike or bike around the region.