“School’s out for summer!” roared Alice Cooper in his infamous track. While AC/DC and the kids and are over the moon about this prospect, the 2-month Summer break is filled with excitement mixed with a little bit of dread for most parents, if they are honest! Whilst having the kids around you is fantastic… finding ways of keeping them amused throughout the whole 8 weeks off school can be tough at times.
Luckily, Surrey Rocks has come up with this handy guide to keep your kids enthralled this Summer. Ranging from days out at theme parks, paintball, watersports and top golf – no stone is left unturned in making it the funnest Summer imaginable for you and your kids.
THORPE PARK
Without a doubt one of the best UK theme parks – which is luckily right on our doorstep in Chertsey, just off Junction 11 on the M25.
There are now over 30 rollercoasters at Thorpe Park including the infamous ‘Stealth’, a hydraulic launched rollercoaster propelling you from 0-80 miles per hour in less than 2 seconds and ‘Collossus’, the first 10 loop rollercoaster.
You can also experience the world’s first horror movie themed rollercoaster with ‘Saw’ where you ride through Jigsaw’s most intricate torture equipment on this terrifying rollercoaster with swinging pendulum blades, floor spikes and giant rotating blades. Even the bravest of thrill seekers will cling on tight as they face a beyond vertical drop of 100 degrees, from a height of 100ft.
There are 2 fabulous water rides, water slides, interactive shows, arcades and a kids section of the theme park for younger guests.
Best advised for children aged 10 as the rides are not for the faint hearted and there is a minimum height restriction set at 140cm for the majority of the rollercoasters. If your child is 139cm or below don’t even try and get them on as the stewards are very strict on measuring. Under 3’s go free at Thorpe Park so if you have little ones you won’t be charged when you take them with your older kids. Chessington World of Adventures may be your best option for kids aged 6 plus or for smaller children under 90cm try Legoland in Windsor.
BEST FOR: Kids aged 10-16
PRICE: £37 – if booked online in advance
£59 – if you turn up and pay on the day
CONTACT: www.thorpepark.com
ROCKS RATING: *****
CAMPAIGN PAINTBALL
From the timid to the brave-hearted, everyone can find their style with Paintball. With the help of Campaign Paintball’s friendly instructors, children will build confidence and learn to work and communicate with others – all whilst having fun and exercise in the fresh air of their beautiful 100-acre forest in Cobham, Surrey.
Battles take place within ten film-set game maps. What could be better than fighting your way through acres of trenches, military vehicles, a Call of Duty zone or a wild-west cowboy town with your friends?
There is Mini Paintball for kids aged 8-10, Junior Paintball for kids aged 11-15 and Adult for 16 and above.
If you are worried about your kids getting hurt – there is a new low-impact paintball available. Campaign use the latest technology that uses smaller paintballs which have the same velocity and accuracy as the old-style paintball but with a lower impact hit. This means no more big bruises and can be enjoyed by all ages.
The sessions last roughly for 4 hours with multiple games played and a break for lunch. Small or large groups are welcome, and with safety a top priority, children are carefully supervised throughout the day. Campaign Paintball have an excellent safety record and an enviable reputation for organising great days out with over 30 years experience in the business.
There is also laser tag available now too for anyone aged 6 plus that uses laser technology as opposed to pellets.
BEST FOR: Kids aged 6-16
PRICE: Starts at £24.95
CONTACT: www.campaign-paintball.com
ROCKS RATING: ****
AQUA PARKS
Liquid Leisure in Shepperton and Thorpe Lakes in Chertsey both run fantastic aqua parks suitable for children of any age. These giant inflatable obstacle courses are great fun and won’t break the bank either at approximately £18 for a 55-minute session. There are also sessions for children under 13, over 13 and adults as well as tiny tot sessions for kids under 6.
The inflatables are great fun and good exercise too! They include slides, swings, trampolines, climbing frames, hanging monkey bars and obstacles to race through.
At Thorpe Lakes, once you have paid your entry you can stay and enjoy the facilities such as a man-made beach, swimming and great food and drink at the cafes on site.
Both these venues also offer watersports and lessons too so if you want to make a day of it you can sign up for waterskiing and wakeboarding. Prices range from £65pp for a lesson consisting of 2 x 15 minute one-on-one sessions with an instructor.
After the lessons you can take part in the group cable experience from only £25 per hour. This comes with use of a wakeboard, wetsuit and helmet.
Great fun whilst also learning a great new skill and sport.
Both venues also run supervised Summer Camps so if you want to drop off and collect the kids while you work there is a full day of activities including lunch planned.
BEST FOR: Kids aged 6-16
PRICE: Starts at £18 for Aqua Park
CONTACT: www.thorpelakeswatersports.co.uk
ROCKS RATING: *****
GODSTONE FARM
Godstone Farm has so much to see and do this Summer including their ‘Farm Trail’ with a chance to see all their 500 animals; including their main barn, rabbit walk, top barn and pond walk. Plus, there is ‘Animal Holding’ to get up close to some of their smaller animals like hamsters, ducklings, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Children can climb and explore the new ‘Indoor Playbarn’ and there are several outdoor play areas too including the adventurous playground, sandpits and ride on toys.
New for 2022 is the ‘World of Dinosaur Roar Discovery Trail’ where kids can meet and learn about dinosaurs in Godstone Farm’s adventurous woodland trail. There is also ‘Wiglet’s Play Village’ a new indoor play area for smaller guests and ‘Kate’s Garden’ a play area where guests can create their own natural fun.
This Summer, Godstone are introducing the ‘Big Farm Sleepover’ where kids can stay up late in the play barn, ride the tractor under the stars and collect eggs for breakfast! Family camping dates available are Friday 19thAugust to Sunday 21st August, Tuesday 23rd August to Thursday 25th August and Friday 26th August to Sunday 28th August. The size pitch provided will fit approximately an 8-man tent and includes 3 day full access to the farm. A great experience and fun for all the family.
BEST FOR: Kids aged 2-16
PRICE: Starts at £6.25 for a day entry for kids under 2,
£12.45 for Kids aged 2-16 and Adults £13.45.
CONTACT: www.godstonefarm.co.uk
ROCKS RATING: ****
HAMPTON LIDO
Hampton Outdoor Pool or Hampton Lido is known as “Surrey and South West London’s best kept secret!” It is situated next to Royal Bushy Park in Hampton Wick.
Consisting of a large main pool, 36 metres long, and a leaner pool dedicated to children and their parents. The water in their pools is heated throughout the year. They provide the community with 365 days of outdoor swimming (yes, you can even have a swim on Christmas Day!)
Hampton Pool offers a variety of different swim sessions for children, with dedicated times everyday for children to come with their parents and enjoy a splash around in the large outdoor heated pool. Throughout the Summer, Hampton Pool runs their famous “TNT” sessions for kids aged 5 to 12. The fun filled action runs for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Summer holidays, from the end of July to the end of August. Activities include climbing on their enormous 30 metre inflatable; enjoying the giant aqua run; parachute; and much more.
Furthermore, Hampton Pool offers “Moonlight Swim” sessions during the evening, when the sun is down and the moon is (almost always) out. The poolside floodlights are turned off, and swimmers are offered glow sticks to enjoy a swim under the stars.
The Sunday Times described us as “one of Britain’s coolest, biggest, hippest pools.” Definitely worth checking out.
BEST FOR: Any age
PRICE: Junior £4.25
Adult: £7.10
CONTACT: www.hamptonpool.co.uk
ROCKS RATING: ****
TOP GOLF SURREY
No golfing ability? No problem! Topgolf is a game that seasoned golfers or total novices can play. Topgolf only has 4 centres in the UK – and luckily for us there is one based in Addlestone, Surrey.
You can have up to 6 players in a booth and you score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets on an outfield. The closer you get your ball to the centre or the ‘bullseye’ and the further the distance, the more points you earn.
You play using proper golf clubs and it is a great way to take up golf in a fun environment as it all digitally scored so you can just get on and enjoy playing the game. Or have fun laughing at those in your party that can’t!
If you have a few families for a day out – you can get two adjacent bays so 12 of you can play together.
It is worth noting that it is a lot easier to get the balls further on the top tier so always best to request an upstairs booth area if you are with beginners.
The fun and games don’t stop there either; there is arcades and a bar and restaurant on site so you indulge in delicious food and drinks brought to you while you play.
You can also book in and enjoy a game of Footgolf on site at the Addlestone Meadow Farm site.
BEST FOR: Age 6 plus
PRICE: £7 for Kids
£8 for Adults
CONTACT: www.topgolf.com
ROCKS RATING: ****
RIVER CRUISES
Enjoy a family fun-filled day out on the River Thames with Ditton Cruisers. Soak up the sun, get up close with nature and see the majestic sights of Surrey and South West London.
You can hire their smallest boats, which seat up to 5 people from as little as £42 per hour or £154 for the day. Or go for their 6 seaters, 7 seaters, 10 seaters or 12 seaters if in a larger group.
It couldn’t be easier to organise. You just choose and book a boat, go along on the day and after a brief introduction to the simple controls just cruise away and enjoy the River Thames at your leisure.
Located on a fabulous stretch of the river in Surrey & South West London, Ditton Cruisers puts you at the helm of their well-maintained day boats. An added bonus here is that kids can drive too! The controls are easy to navigate and a great day out can be had by all. Just make sure they stick to the speed limit and mind the swans!
On a Ditton Cruise you can explore famous locations such as Hampton Court Palace and the old market town of Kingston upon Thames, go through locks upstream to picturesque Hampton, Sunbury and possibly as far as Chertsey if you’re out for the day, or simply find one of a number of idyllic spots to moor up and have a picnic or pub lunch.
A must do river cruising experience, fun for all the family.
BEST FOR: Any age
PRICE: Starts from £42
CONTACT: www.taggsboatyard.co.uk
ROCKS RATING: *****
AIRHOP GUILDFORD
AirHop Guildford is situated in a purpose built 30,000 square foot jumping haven offering over 50 interconnected trampolines spanning the floor and even up the walls! There is also a brand new Obstacle Course, Wipeout, AirHop Bag, Extreme Dodge Attack Court, Slam Dunk and AR Trampolines – a great day out for the whole family.
Walk through their doors into a bounce enthusiast’s paradise – whether you’re 7 or 57, you’ll leave with a big smile on your face.
Go for their Standard Jump including ages 4+ and allows access to all areas of the park. For kids aged 6 months to 6 years, you can put a big smile on a little face during MiniHopper Takeovers, where little ones jump to their heart’s content in a fun and safe environment, including sensory toys and the ever so popular bubble time.
Or you can experience the park in a cool party vibe with AirHop’s 2-hour Sunset Session every Friday and Saturday evening.
Prices start from £13.50 for a Standard Jump which lasts an hour or £21 for a two-hour jump session. Make sure you arrive early as waivers need to be filled out and trampoline socks with grips purchased if you don’t already have. There is free, on-site parking at AirHop Guildford and a café and viewing gallery for snacks and watching the kids wear themselves out in the park if you are not already in there with them!
BEST FOR: Any Age
PRICE: Starts from £13.50
CONTACT: www.airhop-guildford.com
ROCKS RATING: ****
