Parks & Countryside in Waverley

This leafy corner of south west Surrey is blessed with picturesque town centre parks, village greens and sprawling countryside, making it a great destination for picnics, walks and get-togethers with friends and family.   

Visit The Phillips Memorial Park in Godalming and you’ll be able to relax riverside, enjoy live music in the bandstand at various times of the year and even learn about the town’s Titanic connections – local resident John George (Jack) Phillips was Chief Wireless Telegraphist on the RMS Titanic and remained at his post sending out distress messages as the ship sank.

Farnham Park, meanwhile, is a medieval deer park within walking distance of Farnham town centre and right next to Farnham Castle, where you can visit the Keep for spectacular rooftop and parkland views over the town. There’s Gostrey Meadow too, an attractive open plan park which links Farnham Maltings and the River Wey to the town centre.

At Haslemere, it’s Lion Green that provides something of a community hub and hosts events such as Haslemere Fringe Festival every year.

You’re never far away from the countryside in Waverley and there are many gorgeous National Trust beauty spots to visit, including the Devil’s Punch Bowl and Hindhead Commons, Swan Barn Farm, Frensham Little Pond, Oakhurst Cottage and Winkworth Arboretum.  

Thursley National Nature Reserve is one of the largest, (326 hectares) and most important areas of heath in Surrey; Hankley Common famously played host to James Bond and his Scottish mansion in Skyfall; Bourne Woods is another attraction on the Waverley film location map; Alice Holt Forest is home to GoApe; and Waverley Abbey is the remnants of the first Cistercian abbey in England, founded in 1128.