Category: Enterprises News

Discover traditional woodcrafts, be inspired by master craftspeople and enjoy an immersive day out in the woods at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2023.

Taking place at Fish Pond Copse in Cranleigh on Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th September, the 13^th annual Surrey Hills Wood Fair is set to be an exciting and educational day out for the whole family. Brimming with traditional rural charm, take a walk through the woods to take part in interactive activities, enjoy woodland-based demonstrations and browse handmade wood-crafted products.

Organised by Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises, the outdoor event will cover a host of countryside pursuits with lots to see and do, including tree climbing, woodcrafting, learning fire making or knife skills, blacksmith demonstrations, axe throwing, archery, chain saw demos, forest bathing, woodland storytelling, digger driving, hedge making and saw mill demos. Children will especially love the shire horse wagon rides and log pulling, giant board games, bug hunting and circus skills, with lots to keep family members of all ages entertained.

Visit the Woodworkers’ Zone to gain a fascinating insight into everything related to the woods and trees, watch machinery in action and learn how the raw material is transformed into something beautiful.

This year’s event will include an amazing Treetop Experience (additional cost), allowing all ages and abilities to tree climb, try a zip wire, oscillate in a sky-pod, relax in the treetop canopy, peep into the wildlife at the top of trees and connect with the natural world – from a whole new perspective!

New for 2023 will be the special Cycling Village, taking inspiration from the Surrey Hills being a renowned destination for cycling, celebrating the region’s mountain biking community through stimulating demonstrations to watch and thrilling activities to try.

A wonderful early autumn day out in a beautiful setting, get amongst the trees in England’s most wooded county, spend time in the company of family and friends, smell the wood smoke and celebrate the beauty of the woodlands of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Learn about the benefits of woodlands for the planet, wildlife, mind and body, as well as the Surrey Hills heritage, whilst meeting skilled woodland-based artisans in the process and discovering the versatility of wood as a material.

There will be live music and entertainment throughout the weekend from local musicians and groups and impressive wooden products from local artisans available to browse, buy and take home. Those wishing to make the most of their day out, can also enjoy a delicious selection of Surrey Hills’ food and drink between the activities and demos from local producers. From sustainably made beer, local rum or gin, to freshly ground coffee, tempting ice cream and handmade chocolate or fudge, there will be a wide array of locally crafted options including African stews, Scandinavian dishes, freshly made pizza and more.

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2023 will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September at Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh. Advance tickets are priced at £10 or £12.50 on the gate, with free entry for children under 16. Advance ticket sales close at 12 noon on Friday 8 September. Free parking on site and friendly dogs on leads welcome.

For more information and to book, visit: www.surreyhills.org/event/surrey-hills-wood-fair-2023.

Cranleigh is set to welcome a host of talented local singers, musicians and entertainers this summer, as the Surrey Hills Artisan Market continues to go from strength to strength.

Taking place on the first Saturday of the month, this al fresco artisan market was established as a way of showcasing the huge array of handmade and locally-produced gifts, food, drink, art and crafts from independent businesses in the Surrey Hills, as well as the talented artisans behind them.

With the weather warming up, the village will also enjoy sizzling summertime entertainment alongside the artisan stalls on market days, with toe-tapping music and live performances from Surrey singer-songwriters, local bands and more providing a relaxed yet lively atmosphere for the family-friendly artisan market.

Offering something for everyone, this vibrant, free-to-attend market is organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, the Community Interest Company that works with local businesses to support the rural economy and promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), in partnership with Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce.

The special artisan market aligns perfectly with the beautiful village’s independent spirit and love for local, aiming to encourage more people to visit to experience the charm and variety of businesses throughout what is one of Surrey’s largest villages.

The Surrey Hills are home to an inspiring community of artisans that keep traditional as well as modern artisan skills alive. They are passionate about their craft and sharing their knowledge, skills and products with a wider audience. With stalls situated along the High Street, in Stockland Square and Fountain Square, the artisans in attendance vary from month to month, meaning there is always something new to discover, whether it be single origin chocolates and tempting brownies, locally-made drinks, freshly-baked bread, hand-poured candles, natural skincare, beautiful jewellery, original artworks, artisan gifts, home and garden wares, country-inspired clothing, accessories and more.

The Cranleigh Surrey Hills Artisan Market provides the perfect excuse to discover, browse, try and buy directly from the region’s best artisanal producers. Welcoming visitors from 10am to 3pm, the next market will take place on Saturday 1^st July, with the following market on Saturday 5^th August and the next on Saturday 7^th October.

The July market will feature fantastic classic pop and rock covers from Canadian guitarist and now Surrey resident, John Sharkey, performing hits in Fountain Square. Stockland Square will play host to country, blues and rock from duo, Nick Of Time. Be sure to visit to soak up the sun and the fun-filled ambiance at this brilliant Surrey Hills event!

For more information about the Cranleigh Surrey Hills Artisan Market, visit: www.surreyhills.org/cranleighs-surrey-hills-artisan-market.

An inspiring two-day festival is set to celebrate the very best of the Surrey Hills’ food, drink, art and crafts this May in Dorking – the Surrey Hills Artisan Festival 2023. The weekend festival will take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, welcoming more than 80 exceptional artisans from across the county, showcasing their crafts and sharing their expertise and talents.

Hosted by Surrey Hills Enterprises, the Community Interest Company that works with local businesses to support the rural economy and promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), in partnership with Denbies Wine Estate and Surrey Artists Open Studios, the Festival is sure to be a feast for all the senses.

Interactive and educational, the Surrey Hills Artisan Festival will feature a huge array of free activities and talks, with something to get all the family involved and inspired. Throughout the main arena, watch master craftspeople in action and see artisans sharing their skills and creations, providing an insight into their work in textiles, mixed media, woodwork, glass making, ceramics, painting, sculpting and more; enjoy practical creative activities and even the chance to try a new hobby.

The dedicated demo tent will feature free Artisan Cooking Demonstrations, with top Surrey chef Steve Drake of Sorrel, Dorking featured alongside inspiring talks and demos from the region’s best artisans. Learn how to brew the best coffee with Chimney Fire Coffee, discover how luxury gin is made with the Village Spirit Collective, learn the secrets of beekeeping with Guildford Beekeepers, watch a seasonal cooking demonstration from Abinger Cookery School, discover the best of Surrey’s wines with the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills and learn to make amazing gin cocktails with the mixologists from Wessex Gin.

Perfect for families looking for a fun day out or those interested in discovering new produce, art pieces or crafts, there promises to be fun for all the family, with something for all ages of visitor. Visit the interactive ‘Kids Zone’ and enjoy storytelling with Surrey Hills’ children’s authors, play giant board games, let creativity flow at the arts and crafts tables and take part in a ‘building the tallest tower competition’.

The Surrey Hills Artisan Festival has a large focus on creativity, with a special marquee showcasing talented Surrey Artists Open Studios (SAOS) artists – with artists in action and artworks created from pastels, oil, pencil and ink, handcrafted jewellery, hand-cut glass, lino printed pieces, textiles, wooden gifts, hand-thrown ceramics and more. There will be a variety of stalls to browse, providing the opportunity to buy directly from local artisans and independent businesses and live entertainment will take place in the central arena. Here, performances from Surrey groups and musicians will include the big band and acoustic musicians, local morris dancers, a ukulele lesson and the Rock Choir who will also be holding a free-to-join singing lesson.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, says:

“We are thrilled to be welcoming such a brilliant array of local artisans to our upcoming Surrey Hills Artisan Festival, many of which have been awarded the coveted Trade Mark Surrey Hills to honour their quality, sustainability and local providence. With artisan demos, interactive activities and upbeat entertainment, this year’s festival is set to be the best yet and we are proud to welcome Surrey-based growers of the finest soft fruits, Harry Hall Partnership, as sponsors, for the event.”

Benefitting from a picturesque setting amongst the vines in Denbies’ Bacchus Field, with views to Box Hill beyond, this al fresco festival will be a delight for all the senses with delicious food and drink from producers and businesses in the Surrey Hills to enjoy whilst soaking up the relaxed festival atmosphere.

Jeannette Simpson, Chief Operating Officer of Denbies Wine Estate, comments:

“We are delighted once again to welcome and support Surrey Hills Artisan Festival.  It truly represents the enormous range of passionate and dedicated local producers and suppliers within the AONB.  Denbies are proud to be exhibiting with Vineyards of the Surrey Hills over the festival weekend.”

The Surrey Hills Artisan Festival 2023 takes place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking. Tickets are priced at £10 in advance or £12.50 on the gate, with free entry for children under 16. Advance ticket sales close at 12 noon on Friday 19 May. Onsite parking is free or Dorking stations are a 15-minute walk away.

The Surrey Hills Artisan Festival 2023 is generously sponsored by Harry Hall Partnership – one of the UK’s leading berry growers, based in Surrey and harnessing exceptional farming to produce premium berries (strawberries, raspberries blueberries and blackberries).

For more information about the Surrey Hills Artisan Festival and to book advance tickets, visit: www.surreyhills.org/event/surrey-hills-artisan-festival-2023.

A new event is set to showcase the best of the Surrey Hills to Surrey’s hospitality and corporate businesses – ‘The Power of Place: Surrey Hills Produce and Trade Show’ being held at Wotton House Country Estate Hotel near Dorking in Surrey.

Taking place on Monday 24 April, the event will be the first of its kind. Welcoming hospitality businesses to meet a wide array of Surrey Hills’ suppliers covering food, drink and experiences, ‘The Power of Place’ aims to encourage more accommodation providers, eateries and associated businesses to ‘buy local’ and add an enhanced sense of place to their offering within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Alongside such hospitality businesses, Surrey corporates are also being invited to learn how to harness ‘the power of place’ when choosing staff and client gifts or experiences.

Organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, the Community Interest Company that works with local businesses to support the rural economy and promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), ‘The Power of Place’ trade show is the ideal platform to help businesses meet the demand to ‘support local’ and increase the supply of local, quality and sustainable products.

On from 4pm to 7pm, there will be the chance to sample locally-sourced produce through food and drink tastings, gain inspiration to create a menu using Surrey Hills’ ingredients, meet Surrey Hills artisanal suppliers with sustainability at the core of their businesses and network with other hospitality professionals, all whilst enjoying the sumptuous surroundings of the beautiful country house hotel set in 17^th-century Italianate gardens.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, says:

“We are very much looking forward to hosting hospitality businesses at Wotton House and facilitating introductions to some of the Surrey Hills’ best artisanal producers and suppliers, many of which been awarded the renowned Trade Mark Surrey Hills to honour their quality, sustainability and local providence.”

To book a free delegate place at ‘The Power of Place: Surrey Hills Produce and Trade Show’, visit: https://surreyhills.org/event/the-power-of-place.

CREST Sustainable Business Awards have captured the spirit of our time. They are Surrey’s only awards uniquely aimed at recognising and celebrating business sustainability by enterprises and organisations. The aim of the CREST Awards is to promote the positive work by businesses and organisations based in or operating in the county of Surrey UK, to protect the environment and promote more sustainable working and lifestyle habits. The awards seek to inspire and motivate innovation across the board in these areas.

Entering gives companies an opportunity to highlight their sustainability journey, share their vision and learn from one another.

In celebrating the achievements of CREST23 Awards finalists and winners will benefit from increased exposure and marketing opportunities as they will be among environmentally sustainable businesses showcased by Surrey County Council as part of its Greener Futures Climate Change Delivery Plan.

The awards are completely free of charge and are open for entry from 6 March 2023 until 26 May 2023.

Entries will then be judged and a shortlist of finalists compiled.

The finalists will then be invited to the awards event which is on Thursday 26 October at WWF’s Living Planet Centre in Woking where the winners will be announced and prizes awarded.

Winter time provides the perfect opportunity to refocus and reflect on ways to make your home and garden more practical, comfortable and cosy.  

They say that home is where the heart is and choosing to shop locally or work with local companies is sure to bring a little more heart to your home; whether it’s starting that long put-off redecoration project, choosing a new piece of furniture or an interior decor item, working with a designer or maker to create a storage solution or buying new plants for the garden.

Make the most of your space

The Surrey Hills is home to huge array of local businesses that can make your home, garden or space the perfect place to kick back and relax or entertain family and friends. Whether you’re looking for handcrafted furniture or bespoke interior decor, new plants or structures for the garden, a helping hand to renovate and extend your property, or maybe even a local estate agent to assist in choosing a new home, the Surrey Hills has businesses that offer this and so much more.

Read on to discover the many Surrey Hills Enterprises Members that can provide the perfect solution and offer inspiration for your land, home and garden.

Home and Interiors

Aequora Home & Interiors is an interior design practice based in Westcott, Surrey run by founder, Lisa Egglestone who has over 25 years’ experience designing high-end residential homes throughout the UK. Aequora prides itself on understanding clients design briefs and creating beautiful and functional interiors.

Harbour Kitchens boast a unique mix of advanced engineering, craftsmanship and the use of the latest materials, allowing them to create beautiful bespoke kitchens that are truly sustainable and earth friendly.

Brandler London is a bespoke cabinet maker and joinery company specialising in the use of barn wood. Passionate about creating beautiful, highly textured centrepieces and captivating living spaces, considerable attention is paid to sustainable design, at the heart of all projects.

The most comprehensive selection of Stoves, Fireplaces, Gas Fires, Accessories and Flues in the South, Ignition Fires are a family owned, family run business of over 45 years.

Log Delivery supply very dry logs perfect for your stove or fireplace and are best described as a ‘firewood supermarket’, delivering kiln dried hardwood logs, locally sourced Seasoned Hardwood logs, kindling and smokeless coal 7 days a week within 3-hour time slots. Their mission is to have all their firewood sourced locally from the Surrey Hills.

Specialising in restored vintage and antique furniture Nicola Anstey Design brings a fresh unique and modern twist to traditional design. Furniture includes a changing stock of one-off antique and retro sofas, old vintage wooden cabinets, rustic and antique tables, industrial metal chairs.

From a workshop in the Surrey Hills, Shere Kitchens offer a curated service from design to fitting for your kitchen renovation. They specialise in designing and creating custom kitchens, walk-in pantries, utilities, and boot rooms for Period and Listed homes, renovations and extensions.

Surrey Hills Firewood prides itself on sourcing locally sustainable wood from managed forests and woodland within Surrey and the surrounding area, which is then delivered directly to your door. Surrey Kiln dried hardwood logs are guaranteed to have a moisture content below 15%, so they’ll burn hotter for longer and produce less soot.

Working closely with curtain makers and interior designers, mostly in London and the South East of England but with a spread of clients across the UK and the world, The Holbein Company focuses on handmade curtain poles and accessories in brass, wood and wrought iron.

Specialising in producing high-end furniture that is both sustainable and handmade, WHCreations’ pieces are made from a combination of oak whiskey barrels and reclaimed materials, as well as hardwoods, giving each piece a unique character and charm. They also offer a range of tables and chairs for both indoor and outdoor use, perfect for any home or garden.

Garden and Plants

A self-taught blacksmith / fabricator, JK Forges is run by Jack who has been blacksmithing since he was 10 years-old. Today, he makes everything from small garden ornaments and top of the range Japanese kitchen knives to huge custom gateways and arches.

C.G.J.Mathias & Son Nurseries are a third generation family nursery business which has been established in Tilford near Farnham for over 50 years as growers and suppliers of a wide range of hedging plants.

Floralscapes are a team of passionate horticulturalists with a great eye for design who love creating incredible floral and plant displays. Specifically, remarkable or unique trees, plants and flowers, expertly chosen and grown with utmost care partnered with beautifully designed, handmade planters from the best makers in Europe.

A specimen tree and plant company with a wholesale nursery based near Weybridge, Flourish Plants are on a mission to supply only the finest trees and plants at the very best value. A key stockist of Zelari Piante, one of Italy’s foremost growers, they also source from selected premium growers in Holland, Belgium and the UK.

Hans Christmas Andersen is a family-run grower, wholesaler and retailer of Christmas trees. They now sell over 60,000 fresh, homegrown Christmas trees to customers every year, 6,500 of which are sold at Santa Fir Farm near Cranleigh.

Specialists in creating useful and functional extra outdoor space as the perfect addition to your home, Surrey Hills Garden Buildings offer a complete service including design, supply and installation whether you are looking for a home office, studio, games or music room, outdoor living, space to chill or put up guests.

Producing raw metal plant supports and fire bowls, Surrey Hills Plant Supports source materials locally where possible and also deliver locally for free. Every piece of hand-made metalwork is fabricated from start to finish in their small family run workshop using both traditional and modern fabrication techniques.

The Old Moat is a garden centre with a difference. When you visit the Old Moat, you aren’t just buying high quality plants, visiting the welcoming dog-friendly café or choosing unusual gifts from the shop but also directly supporting people living with mental ill health.

A creative carpentry company specialising in treehouses, garden rooms, porches, car ports and projects that need to be designed, bespoke and beautiful, Timber Wolf Carpentry pride themselves on their professionalism, reliability, accuracy and attention to detail.

Property Services

With staff operating out of three offices – Guildford Town Centre, Merrow and Shalford – Chantries & Pewleys estate agents are able to offer clients unrivalled local coverage and a wealth of experience in the local market.

AEM Contractors offer a variety of estate maintenance services for both residential and commercial clients as well as grounds maintenance to suit your needs, giving you reassurance that everything is being maintained. If you’re looking to improve your fence, look no further than AEM Contractors.

Offering all aspects of architectural design for residential properties, KLB Homes can manage planning permission for your home renovations, extensions, barn, loft and garage conversions. So whether you’re looking for a full design service including planning permission or just a little inspiration for a home extension, get in touch!

Formed in 1972 and run by brothers, Mark and Stephen Eshelby, Latchmere Properties has developed a reputation for creating high quality developments, where architectural style has always remained both bespoke and determined by location. Based in Dorking, they are a local and award winning family business that is incredibly selective in the opportunities they pursue.

Discover more sustainable Surrey Hills businesses by visiting: https://surreyhills.org/our-community/find-local-businesses/

With the countdown to Christmas firmly on, choose to shop sustainably this year by looking to local businesses to provide the perfect solution. Not only does shopping within the Surrey Hills support small businesses and people locally, but it also reduces the carbon footprint of the products purchased, provides the ability to track provenance and quality more closely and makes a tangible difference to the local economy.

The Surrey Hills boasts a wealth of talented artisans and creative small businesses offering a huge array of experiences, events and products right on the doorsteps of those living locally and Surrey Hills Enterprises – the Community Interest Company that provides a support network for local businesses – represents the very best. Start shopping for the ideal Christmas present or gift experience, order delicious locally crafted food or drink to adorn the Christmas table or kick start the festive season by attending a Surrey Hills event or two – there’s something for everyone when you look to local.

Here are some inspiring ideas from local businesses and Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members offering an enticing array of festive gifts, experiences, stocking fillers, local produce and events this Christmas:

Gift Products

Natural skincare company, Puremess, has cosy gifts for wellness lovers this Christmas. Their ‘Soy Wax Melts with Ceramic Wax Melter’ (£12.50) includes non-toxic, non-paraffin Pumpkin Spice Melts, each of which can last between 10-15 hours. The wax melts contain Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg and Cardamom essential oils to fill your house with the perfect festive aroma and packaging is 100% biodegradable. Alternatively, their ‘‘Love’ Christmas’ gift pack (£25) contains everything needed for a relaxing night in this winter. With a pair of fluffy socks, Puremess Sleep Balm, Hand Cream and a Lip Balm, all cosied up in a beautiful hessian bag and tied with a Christmas bow and gift tag, this is the dream gift for snuggle season.

Talented writer and founder of Winning with Words, Steve Markwell, has produced ‘Surrey Hills SuperHeroes’ (£13.99), new stories perfect for children and adults this Christmas-time. A collection of tales set in the Surrey Hills, where real-life and magical characters battle threats to the beauty of our landscape, this beautifully-illustrated book invites you to find your inner hero this Christmas. Get a copy of the illustrated book by emailing: stevemarkwell1l@gmail.com.

‘The Christmas Pamper Hamper Box’ (£44.95) from Sensiful makes the ideal present for someone who needs to take the weight off their feet and relax. They can kick back with Semi Sparkling Wine by Sea Change (or a gin from Wessex Distillery) and Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles by Wicked & Wonderful, whilst enjoying the subtle scents of the Dove for Peace Soy Candle by INZHO. There’s also a Spacemask and a Fika Bag full of selfcare products from Puremess to make the pampering session complete! All products are Surrey-sourced with sustainable packaging and free UK shipping, making shopping with Sensiful the easy way to shop locally this Christmas.

Local Drink

Coffee lovers will enjoy counting down to the big day with 12 Days of Discovery 2022 – Coffee Advent Calendar (£45) from Dorking-based Chimney Fire Coffee. Within this specially curated collection of coffees from the company’s 2022 Discovery Coffee range, each coffee has been carefully selected by the roastery team to satisfy different tastes and introduce a new and interesting coffee from around the world. Be that a new origin or region that hadn’t been sourced from before, a new process or varietal, or something seasonal with a unique flavour profile, from Malawi to India, there is something new for everyone to discover. £1 from every box will be donated to Re-Cycle, a small charity who refurbish donated bicycles from the UK, working with local partners to distribute them to rural communities in Africa. The Coffee Advent Calendar includes 12x70g bags of coffee, plus a guide containing more information about this year’s Discovery selection.

Albury Vineyard is a small, family-run biodynamic vineyard producing the highest quality organic English wines. This Christmas they are offering the Albury Estate Sparkling Wine Case (£159.70) to bring more than a little sparkle to your festive period. Enjoy £20 off a case of sparkling wine with free delivery when you use the code CHRISTMAS20 online and celebrate Christmas in style with English fizz!

Birtley Estate in Bramley has launched a limited edition brandy, crafted using apples grown from the estate’s cider apple orchard of 700 trees. The orchard was planted in 2012 and is managed with environmental care. The small batch premium apple brandy, in the style of Calvados, is matured at Birtley then distilled at the Silent Pool Distillery in Albury. The delicious spirit is then aged in oak barrels before bottling. BEORC LEAH – the old English name for the Birtley Estate – retails at £70 per 50cl bottle. To order, call 01483 678394 or email juliet.b@birtleyhouse.co.uk.

Local Food

RoniB’s Kitchen, the award-winning producer of artisan Philippine flavoured sauces, condiments and preserves, has launched the Tropical Sauces Gift Box (£15) in time for Christmas shopping, locally. A unique Christmas gift packed with tropical flavours for foodie family or friends, this gift box contains Ihaw Ihaw BBQ Sauce, Banana Ketchup and Labuyo Hot Chilli Sauce.

Hampton Estate boasts 2250 acres of historic parkland, grazing meadows, arable fields, award winning woodlands and traditional farmyards in Seale, Farnham. As a producer of fresh Hampton prime beef, wild roe venison, Special Steak Pies and Sausages of all varieties, their Christmas Collection Day will take place from 10.30am to 3.30pm on 2^nd December for those who wish to buy local for their festive fayre and get ahead on their Christmas meal planning. Plus there will be mulled wine and other local producers on site with their own stalls to browse for that early Christmas present. Order in advance and don’t miss out!

Surrey Hills Experiences

Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD) are offering a number of festive fun activities during December for both families and corporate groups. During ‘TAZ Festive Family Fun’, enjoy a festive session in the outdoors making rustic seasonal decorations, play festive games and enjoy toasting marshmallows over an open fire with the family. Sessions are priced at £22 per adult, £17 for aged 5-18 years and free for under 5s. Alternatively, ‘TAZ Holiday Fun’ will take place from 9.30am-4.15pm on 20^th and 21^st December. For children 6 – 11 years, enjoy outdoor activities, make a festive decoration and enjoy a Christmas lunch, priced at £52 per child.

Corporate groups and those businesses looking for an alternative Christmas party this year should also look to SOLD for the solution. Their ‘Festive Team Gatherings’ is the ideal Christmassy get together with colleagues. Make rustic seasonal decorations, enjoy festive team games and savour a hearty, homemade meal served over an open fire. Book either 2.30-5pm or 6-8.30pm on weekdays from 12^th December. Priced at £30 per person (min 10/max 30) – just wear warm clothes and bring along festive spirit! The beautiful Barnett Hill Hotel near Guildford is offering a tempting ‘Festive Afternoon Tea’ this winter season. Priced at £26.50 per person, indulge in delicious treats from delicate finger sandwiches to freshly baked patisserie items. Dressed to impress, the hotel is positively decked and just waiting for the sounds of the clinking of glasses and the popping of corks – visit Barnett Hill to celebrate in style this Christmas.

The beautifully-maintained parkland Bramley Golf Club will host special festive lunches throughout December with all the Christmas trimmings.

The ‘Christmas at Bramley’ menu offers the choice of 1 course (£19.95), 2 courses (£24.95) or 3 courses (£28.95) and features delicious dishes including Smoked Salmon, Leek and Dill Tarlets, Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, Confit of Duck on a Chorizo and Bean Cassoulet, Caramelised Oranges with Rum and Raisin Ice Cream and Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce.

 

Gift Vouchers

The Village Spirit Collective has ‘Gin Distillery Tour & Experience Vouchers’ (£25), perfect for that special someone this Christmas – or for yourself! Meet the distiller and gain an insight into the distillation process whilst enjoying a welcome drink. Explore the intriguing gin range and the individually distilled botanicals to determine your flavour profile. Vouchers are sent by email and are ideal for family or friends.

A Photography Gift Voucher from Sian T. Photography is the perfect solution for that difficult to buy for person this Christmas. A personal gift that won’t break the bank, Sian is offering the chance to double your money this festive period. Purchase a £100 gift voucher for just £50 or a £200 gift voucher for just £100 using coupon code ‘XmasX2’ on the website for a voucher that can be used against all Sian T. Photography services and products. Vouchers valid until 30^th November 2023.

Give the gift of Barnett Hill this Christmas with an indulgent voucher for something to look forward to in the New Year. Including relaxing massages, scrumptious afternoon teas, al fresco suppers or a Surrey Hills getaway, there is something for everyone in the Barnett Hill gift shop.

Festive Events

Get fully in the festive spirit by booking onto the Wreath Making Workshop (£65) at Gate Street in Bramley.Taking place from 7pm-9pm on Tuesday 29^th November, arrive to a welcome drink and enjoy festive nibbles, then be guided by the Gate Street floristry team in creating a festive wreath to add a touch of homemade charm to your front door this year. All materials needed will be provided, including foliage foraged from Gate Street’s woodlands and surrounding farmland to build up the frame and an array of decorations to suit your style, including natural greenery and dried orange slices plus a variety of other joyful options. The wreath-making workshop is intimate, allowing for one-to-one support, and is the perfect event to kick off festivities with friends or family.

The Surrey Circle Winter Event will take place in the enchanting Garden Cobham from 10.30am-9pm on Thursday 1^st December and from 9.30am-4.00pm on Friday 2^nd December. Start your Christmas celebrations with family and friends by browsing sumptuous stalls, taking part in creative workshops, enjoying tantalising food and drink and soaking up the festive atmosphere with live music and carols. Advance purchase adult tickets are priced at £3.50, or £5.50 on the day, with 25% donated to local Surrey charities.

Visit the atmospheric Silent Pool in Albury from 11am-5pm on Saturday 3^rd December to attend Silent Pool Distillers‘ popular and evocative Christmas Market. Enjoy exclusive offers, a lucky dip, stalls by talented local artisans, rousing carol singers, steaming mulled gin and more as part of this magical festive event.

 

The Kelly’s Santa Run from Kelly’s Storage Charity Events is back on Sunday 4^th December, this time with a Christmas market! Enjoy a winter run round Stoke Park, choosing from the 2.5k (fully accessible) or 5k route around the park, then finish off with a wander through the Christmas market to enjoy festive food and drinks, activities and gifts – children can even visit Santa in his grotto! Each entrant gets a Santa hat to wear for the run (or a festive bandana for any four-legged friends) and a decoration for the tree when they finish! Every penny donated will go to Challengers, a local charity that provides truly inclusive, fun and safe places where all disabled children and young people can spend time with their friends. Non-runners who just wish to attend the market are welcome too, with free market entry from 10am-2pm.

For more Surrey Hills Christmas shopping ideas, visit: www.surreyhills.org/support-your-local-businesses-this-christmas.

With climate change, the loss of natural spaces and protecting threatened species being topics on everyone’s minds, an upcoming Surrey event will help provide practical tips and inspiration on how to look after the natural world – starting in our very own backyards.

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2022 will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September at Fish Pond Copse in Cranleigh and will feature a ‘Making Space for Nature’ zone to help educate and inspire the whole family to live greener.

The zone will feature a wide array of interactive activities and demonstrations, as well as advice from experts on how to help create a safe space for bugs, bees, plants and other species in and around your own home and garden. The Making Space for Nature zone will show how making small changes and taking simple steps can have a huge impact on the recovery and success of nature within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and further afield.

Get involved in creating a mini habitat from cut logs and branches to discover how to support wildlife in your own green space in the inspiring zone and children of all ages will love to colour a Surrey Hills Indicator Species, whilst learning more about the wildlife living locally around us. There will be the chance to contribute to an artistic centrepiece, ‘Seeds of Hope’, which will be on display at this year’s ‘Harvest’ event on Box Hill on 17 September (free tickets can be claimed here). By mindfully binding yarn around discarded branches, become part of the mass effort of hundreds of people and community groups that have created their own ‘Seedpods’, connecting us to each other and nature.

Throughout the day in the special zone at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair, discover the folklore and science of the woodland during ‘tree walks and talks’ or explore more about the brilliance of the humble bumble bee. There will also be exciting children’s activities on offer and experts will be on hand to talk to the whole family about how we can all play our part in making space for nature.

Just one of many fun-filled areas to explore at this year’s Surrey Hills Wood Fair, discover fascinating traditional woodland crafts, listen to nature-inspired storytelling, take a shire horse and wagon ride, try tree climbing and digger driving, have a go at making a fire or axe-throwing, meet farmyard animals, listen to educational talks, play giant wooden board games and much more. With live music, a wide range of exceptional stalls from local artisans to browse and an array of delicious Surrey Hills’ food and drink to enjoy, there really is something for everyone at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2022.

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2022 will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September at Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh. Advance tickets are £7.50 or £10 on the gate, with free entry for children under 16. Advance ticket sales close at 12 noon on Friday 9 September. Free parking on site and friendly dogs welcome on leads.

For more information and to book, visit: https://surreyhills.org/events/surrey-hills-wood-fair-2022.

On Wednesday 8^th June, the Surrey Hills Enterprises’ team visited Pilgrim Brewery in Reigate for a special networking event organised by Reigate and Banstead Business, the Economic Prosperity team from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, in partnership with Surrey Hills Enterprises.

Bringing together local Reigate and Banstead-based businesses under a theme of ‘the Power of Place’, the event considered the importance of local provenance, local values and sourcing locally to building a successful brand, whilst celebrating unique Surrey businesses and their contribution to the local economy and ‘brand Surrey Hills’.

The afternoon event included guest speakers sharing their take on the theme and their wisdom with the other local business attendees.

Chris Robinson from Chalk Hills Bakery and Morgan Arnell from Crumbs Brewing, both talented Surrey Hills Enterprises members who are trailblazers in their fields, working in an artisanal and sustainable way to produce products of the highest quality, spoke on the power of place to their individual brands and how they have harnessed the sense of locale in building successful businesses, both within the Surrey area and further afield.

Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, spoke on the benefits of Surrey Hills Enterprises’ membership and the strength of the Trade Mark Surrey Hills, awarded to businesses that stand for quality, local provenance and sustainability within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and easily recognisable to both consumers and other businesses alike.

As the afternoon progressed, refreshments were provided by Ranmore Common-based Chimney Fire Coffee, who served their delicious responsibly-crafted coffee to eager guests, alongside beers from Pilgrim Brewery.

Chalk Hills Bakery served a sumptuous afternoon tea including Sponge Cake, Orange and Almond Cake and moreish scones with clotted cream and local jam, irresistible to many.

A relaxed and positive event, the afternoon provided a vital platform for fantastic conversations to take place between local business leaders and entrepreneurs, with discussions on the theme of ‘the Power of Place’ and working collaboratively to further grow successful, sustainable Surrey businesses.

To learn more about Surrey Hills Enterprises’ membership, visit: www.surreyhills.org/enterprises/membership-benefits

The second annual Surrey Hills Artisan Festival, held on Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd May 2022 at Denbies Wine Estate was a great success, seeing around 3,000 people visiting to enjoy the vibrant weekend event in a beautiful setting near Dorking.

Organised by Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises, in partnership with Denbies Wine Estate and Surrey Artists Open Studios (SAOS), the festival was a celebration of the talented artisans of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with more than 70 local artisans in attendance. Showcasing the region’s very best art, crafts, food and drink, the festival featured stalls from artisans and a large artists’ marquee from SAOS members, as well as live music and entertainment in a central arena, including Rock Choir performances, samba rhythms from Bloco do Sul, jazz from Philip Hopkins Jazz Duo, steel drums from Melodic Pan Man and morris dancing from the Rampant Roosters. Lots of fun for all ages!

Surrounded by hay bales, the central area of the Bacchus Field was the ideal place for visitors to relax in the sunshine, whilst listening to the excellent entertainment, soaking up the rays and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, and enjoying the huge array of local food and drink on offer. With Thai curries, African cuisine, wood fired pizza, ice cream and sorbets, Surrey Hills wine, freshly ground coffee, botanical beers and much more, there was something for everyone!

New for 2022, the Surrey Hills Artisan Festival also featured a fantastic demo tent, which hosted talks, tastings and demonstrations throughout the weekend from a wide variety of artisans – from cooking to craft making to nature activities to mindfulness to leather craft to cocktail making to fascinating stories of success from local businesses, there was lots to engage and inspire attendees, all included within their entry ticket.

Under sunny skies, there was also lots to entertain younger visitors too, with Surrey Hills’ storytelling, giant garden games, arts and crafts tables, a cartoon mural and an art installation to get involved with, inspiring creativity in children of all ages. All generations were also inspired by the art being created live at the festival by local artists in various mediums, showing their techniques and talents.

With a wide variety of stalls showcasing products and produce from within the Surrey Hills, from local small businesses, there was much to browse and buy, with many visitors discovering new Surrey products that they hadn’t before tried and meeting the talented artisans behind the Surrey businesses.

With so much on offer and with such a stunning setting, with views of both the grape vines and nearby Box Hill, many visitors stayed for the day and made the very most of the spring sunshine at the Surrey Hills Artisan Festival. Stallholders, organisers and visitors alike are already looking forward to next year.

The next Surrey Hills Enterprises’ event, the Surrey Hills Wood Fair will take place at Cranleigh Show Ground on Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th September 2022. Be sure to add the date to your diary and book in advance for a discount on tickets.

For more information about the next Surrey Hills Enterprises’ event, the Surrey Hills Wood Fair, visit: www.surreyhills.org/events/surrey-hills-wood-fair-2022.