When you imagine Surrey, what do you see in your mind’s eye? Manicured lawns? Tinkling water features? Well, according to Dame Judi Dench, we may have the county all wrong.
The actress moved to Surrey nearly 40 years ago, nurturing a six-acre woodland of which she has said: ‘Whenever I can, whatever the season, this is where I escape to.’ Now in her 90s, she recently told Jo Whiley that it continues to bring her ‘hope and joy’ despite deteriorating eyesight, saying, ‘I can’t see it, but I know it’s there.’
She’s not the only one to celebrate Surrey’s wilder side. The Sunday Times named the Surrey Hills one of the best places to live this year. So could the county be a secret gem for the over-50s?
It’s England’s most wooded county
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Banstead woods in Surrey, England.
Surrey is, in fact, England’s most wooded county, with woodland covering approximately 24% of its area, according to Surrey County Council. What’s more, around a quarter of that is ancient woodland.
Move to Surrey, and you can walk in Alice Holt Forest, Banstead Woods, Ashtead Common… the list goes on. And you probably should, given the huge body of research linking access to green space – and forests in particular – to better mental and physical wellbeing.
It’s a hobby paradise
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View of RHS Garden Wisley in autumn.
That said, there’s more to Surrey than sycamores. It’s also home to some of Britain’s most beautiful gardens and country estates.
Gardeners can get their kicks at RHS Garden Wisley – the second most visited paid-entry garden in the UK, topped only by Kew. Across the county, more than 40 stately homes and gardens are open to visitors, so you won’t run out of options to develop hobbies such as gardening, photography, walking or wildlife watching. Then, of course, there’s Box Hill – a firm favourite for cyclists.
You won’t run out of things to do
More of an indoor type? No problem. Guildford’s lively cultural scene includes the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and the G Live venue for top-quality touring musicals, comedy and dance. The Watts Gallery, in nearby in Compton, is home to art exhibitions, talks and workshops. In fact…
There’s a Surrey town to suit almost every lifestyle
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Mixed architecture of old buildings in Godalming, Surrey.
Take your pick from…
Lively Guildford – for cultural attractions, shops and excellent transport connections.
Historic Farnham – a market town with independent shops and beautiful surrounding countryside
Picturesque Godalming – for attractive streets, riverside walks and nearby woodland.
Market-town Dorking – surrounded by the Surrey Hills, with access to Box Hill.
Urban Woking – with fast rail connections to London and access to green spaces.
London’s on your doorstep
Plus, if you’re still working, have children in the capital or just want to keep your brain busy, London is within reassuringly easy reach. The capital’s galleries, museums and theatres are around 35-40 minutes from Guildford or Godalming by train and you’re also within an hour’s reach of Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
But…