Surrey Family Days Out | Godstone, just off junction 6 of the M25
If you’re looking for a family day out within easy reach of London and Surrey, Godstone Farm is hard to beat. Set in the rolling Surrey Hills, just three minutes from junction 6 of the M25, it has been welcoming families for more than 40 years and is home to over 500 animals. This autumn and winter, it has a packed calendar of seasonal events, from pumpkin carving to a sensory-friendly fireworks festival and a magical Father Christmas experience. Here are five reasons to visit.
1. Halloween with the fright just right (17 October – 1 November)
Throughout October half term, the farm is transformed into a world of family-friendly frights, pitched perfectly for little ones: a little spooky, a lot of laughter. Families can follow The Great Halloween Traitor Mystery Trail around the farm, with a prize for every child who takes part, meet Dinosaur Squeak, and get creative at daily spooky craft sessions, including decorating a trick-or-treat bag to take home. There are also Creepy Crawlies and reptile sessions, where kids can come face to face with everything from bugs and snails to slithery snakes.
The pumpkin patch is bigger and better this year, so you can pick the perfect squash and carve it on site (£5 extra), then gather round the fire to toast marshmallows (£3.50). Halloween tickets are £19.95 for adults and children aged 2 to 15, £9.95 for one-year-olds, and free for under-1s and carers, with full farm park access included.
2. A Mini Fireworks Festival for little ears (24 and 25 October)
Many families with young children find traditional fireworks too loud. Godstone Farm’s answer is its legendary low-bang fireworks, and this year they’re bigger than ever as a brand-new Mini Fireworks Festival, with lasers added to the sensory-friendly show. From 4.30pm, there are fire acts, towering stilt walkers, a juggler, a kids’ mini disco, glow stalls, BBQ food, candy floss and bars, with the fireworks finale at around 7pm.
A brilliant bonus is after-hours access to the Play Barn and outdoor adventure play at dusk, plus the chance to say goodnight to the animals. Tickets are £17.95 for adults and children aged 2 and over, £13.95 for under-2s, and free for under-1s and carers. You can also upgrade to a full Halloween day ticket for just £10 per person extra. The festival sells out every year, so book early.
3. A magical Father Christmas experience
Godstone Farm’s Father Christmas experience is one of the most popular in Surrey, and peak dates book up well in advance. It runs over the last two weekends of November, every weekend in December and every day from 18 to 24 December. Daytime visits include a personal meeting with Father Christmas in his fairy-lit cabin, a quality gift from his workshop, the enchanting Wish Room, Jingle & Jangle’s interactive Christmas show, cookie decorating with the elves, festive crafts and a festive trail, plus full farm park access.
Off-peak daytime tickets start from £37.95 for children aged 2 to 15 and £21.95 for adults. There are also atmospheric dusk visits from 5.30pm to 7pm for £32.95 per child, with adults free. Thoughtfully, there are calm SEND sessions on 21 and 22 November and 3 and 8 December, with soft lights and no loud music, and one family group per slot.
4. Surrey’s biggest soft play, whatever the weather
One of the best things about Godstone Farm is that it works come rain or shine. The Play Barn is Surrey’s biggest soft play, with a huge four-tier frame, a separate toddler area, a baby area, an imaginary play zone and a sensory area, plus a handy playside café so grown-ups can grab a coffee. Wiglet’s Play Village is another indoor favourite, so a wet half-term day is still a good one.
When the sun comes out, there’s a huge outdoor adventure playground with jumping pillows, ziplines, a toboggan run, giant sandpits and ride-on toys. Note that some of the outdoor play equipment is being updated this autumn, so a small area may be closed, but the sandpits, jumping pillows, swings, ziplines and toboggan run remain open.
5. 500 animals, plus dinosaurs
At its heart, Godstone Farm is still a farm, with more than 500 animals including highland cows, llamas, pigs, goats, sheep, horses and giant rabbits. Animal interactions are guaranteed, with timed hands-on sessions throughout the day, and there’s a Reptile House, a Rabbit Walk and a peaceful Pond Walk. For dinosaur fans, The World of Dinosaur Roar! Discovery Trail winds through the woodland with life-size dinosaurs to spot.
The farm also prides itself on accessibility, with a Changing Places toilet, accessible paths and SEND-friendly sessions on the first Saturday of each month. Parking is free, and the farm only takes card or contactless payments. It’s a wholesome, action-packed day out that easily fills a whole day for younger children.
Plan your visit
Godstone Farm
Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8LX
Open daily from 10am to 4.45pm (closed 25 and 26 December)
Free parking | Card and contactless payments only
By car: junction 6 of the M25 | By train: nearest station Caterham | By bus: 400, 409 and 410 to Godstone Village
Tel: 01883 742546