Hatchlands Park near Guildford is one of Surrey’s most spacious National Trust days out, combining a Georgian country house, more than 400 acres of parkland, woodland walks and a natural play area for children.
Set at East Clandon on the edge of the Surrey Hills, Hatchlands works just as well for a long walk and coffee as it does for a full day exploring the house and grounds. Here are five highlights.
1. Step inside the Georgian house
Hatchlands Park was built in the 1750s for Admiral Edward Boscawen and his wife Frances.
Inside, six ground-floor rooms contain some of Robert Adam’s earliest country-house interiors, including decorative ceilings and fireplaces with naval influences reflecting Boscawen’s career.
The house is still a family home, so opening hours are more limited than the grounds. During the 2026 season, the ground floor is generally open 12pm–4pm from Sunday to Friday, until 30 October.
2. Look out for an extraordinary collection of historic instruments
One of the most unusual reasons to visit Hatchlands is the Cobbe Collection.
The house contains more than 40 historic keyboard instruments, including pianos and other instruments associated with composers such as Chopin, Elgar and J.C. Bach.
It gives Hatchlands a very different character from many other National Trust houses, particularly if you have an interest in music.
3. There are more than 400 acres to explore
You could easily visit Hatchlands without spending much time indoors.
The estate has more than 400 acres of parkland and ancient woodland, with waymarked walking routes through meadows, woods and areas partly shaped by landscape designer Humphry Repton.
There is also an 18th-century ice house and a small classical temple to discover away from the main house.
For anyone searching for good National Trust walks near Guildford, this is one of Hatchlands Park’s biggest attractions.
4. Hatchlands Park is particularly good with children
This is not one of those historic houses where children have to spend the whole visit being told not to touch anything.
The woodland has a natural adventure area with balance beams, stepping stones, willow structures, a bug burrow and tree house.
There are also large areas of grass and woodland for exploring, plus resident donkeys.
That makes Hatchlands a useful option for a family day out in Surrey, particularly when you want somewhere with plenty of outdoor space.
5. You can make a very relaxed day of it
There is a café serving drinks, cakes, snacks and light lunches, together with the Engine Room second-hand bookshop in the cobbled courtyard.
You can therefore keep the visit simple: take a walk, explore the house, let the children play and stop for coffee before heading home.
National Trust members receive free admission, and there is currently no additional car-parking charge at Hatchlands Park.
Visiting Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park
East Clandon
Guildford
Surrey
GU4 7RT
The house, parkland, café and other facilities have different opening times, so it is worth checking the National Trust website before travelling.
Hatchlands Park is particularly worth considering if you are looking for things to do near Guildford, National Trust places in Surrey, family days out in Surrey or somewhere for a countryside walk close to London.
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