Shop Local for a Sparkling Surrey Hills Christmas

As the song says, Tis The Season To Be Jolly, but it is also the season to shop local if you’re looking to celebrate a more sustainable Christmas this year. The Surrey Hills is brimming with small businesses of the highest quality, creating their products and services locally and sustainably.

Look to these local businesses when shopping this festive season to gift loved ones with special, often one-off pieces created with true heart, whilst enjoying a greener Christmas, with products created close by, using sustainable materials and with a fully traceable provenance.

Whether it is delicious locally produced food or hand-crafted drinks, beautiful art or craft gifts or a voucher or gift experience, there is an inspiring small business ready and waiting to offer a solution to your Christmas shopping dilemmas this year.

Here is just a small selection of gift ideas from Surrey Hills Enterprises members this Christmas:

Foodie Gifts

The C’Hills Christmas Hamper (£75) from Chalk Hills Bakery contains a fantastic array of festive treats. Including Box of 4 Mince Pies, pack of 5 mini Florentines, Christmas Pudding, Cinnamon Stars, Gingerbread Father Christmas, Biscotti, Vanilla Fudge, pack of Pfeffernüsse spice biscuits, pack of Cheddar Cheese biscuits and a pack of Chalk Hills delicious Granola.

The Merry Christmas Box (£32.95) from Surrey gift delivery company Sensiful is full of delicious, local, seasonal treats with something for everyone to enjoy – Boxing Day Chutney from Jam Packed Preserves, Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles by Wicked & Wonderful, Organic Oat, Currant and Cacao Cookies by Nourish, and Christmas Tea by The Lawn Collection.

RoniB’s Kitchen is offering their Great Taste Gift Box 2023 (£26) this Christmas, featuring five of their Great Taste Winning products including Banana Ketchup, Black Bean Chilli Oil, Garlic Chilli Oil, Black Bean Chilli Paste and Kalamansi Marmalade.

The Jamsperience Gift Box (£23) contains jams specially selected by The Chilli Potter master jamologist to take you on a taste journey through the finest jams. This box set includes five individual Chilli Potter chilli jams ranging from mild to medium, including The Green One, The Red One, The Odd One, The Hab One and the Scotch Naga One with handy tasting notes.

Delightfully Decadent produces a wide range of seasonal specials of brownies, fudge and other tasty delights. Choose from a Fudge Snowflake (£25), Christmas Pudding Flavour Brownies (£3 per slice), Rocky Road Christmas Trees (£4.50) and more.

Gifts for the Drinks Lover

Silent Pool Gin is providing a touch of sparkle this Christmas, with a range of gifts available to purchase online or from their Distillery Shop, open seven days a week. Gifts include a Silent Pool Gin Magnum (£99), the Silent Pool Gin Luxury Tumblers Gift Set (£81) and the Silent Pool Gin Christmas Decoration (£15).

The Taste of Surrey gift box (£61.95) from Albury Vineyard is a thoughtful (and delicious!) gift for those who love English produce. Containing a bottle of Albury Estate sparkling wine, hand-made artisan chocolates locally made by the award-winning Kokoh chocolatiers, and a jar of Albury Honey, made by bees that live on the vineyard. Presented in either a natural or black gift box, protected with natural wood wool.

Choose Chimney Fire Coffee’s Christmas Blend 2023 (£15) for the coffee lover in your life. Packaged in a reusable cardboard tube, this unique blend of five of coffees from around the world features a bespoke watercolour of a wintery scene of Denbies Wine Estate, home of the roastery. Bursting with Christmassy flavours – think dried fruits, toasted nuts, and a hint of cinnamon.

The Respect Gin (£44.95) from Wessex Distillery is an exceptional gin that also supports a noble cause. Each purchase will be donated to ‘Across Rainbows’, an organization committed to celebrating and embracing diverse stories and experiences within the LQBTQ+ community. Alternatively, the Mini Gin Tube (£20) is the perfect introduction to Wessex Distillery; a beautiful gift set containing four miniature 5cl bottles of gin of your choice.

Swygge creates natural and fresh premium bottled cocktails that are lower in sugar. This Christmas, choose the Life Of Chai (£14, 200ml) – Portobello® Gin, Chai Tea, Swygge® Coriander & Almond Cordial, Cold Pressed Fresh Lemon, Swygge Grenadine, Angostura® Bitters – or the Gilded Grace (£14, 200ml) – Swygge® Peanut Butter Infused Portobello Road® Vodka, Swygge® Organic Cacao Liqueur, Milk Oolong Tea, Chocolate Bitters – for two particularly special options.

The Naan Laager 4 Bottle Gift Pack (£14) from Crumbs Brewing features four bottles of the world’s first beer made from wonky Naan bread in a smart gift pack.

Shopping for the Champagne lover in your life? Visit Just Champagne. They offer gifts of both a single bottle or bottles in gift sets with chocolates, flutes, stoppers and other items. You can choose single, double, triple and six bottle gift boxes or plain cases.

Raw Honey Distillery have a Gin with a hint of Kaffir Lime & Orange (£39.99) that is perfect for the festive season. Deliciously smooth, it boasts 10 botanicals, making for the ideal gift.

Art & Craft Gifts

Kate Lloyd scarves are created from photographic images taken by Kate herself. They are made in England and feature images of either horses or the natural world. Luxury silk scarves, guilt-free luxury, sustainability and individuality come together to create unique works of art. Choose from the Pearl Horse Silk Scarf (£150) or the The Golden Gondolas Silk Scarf (£125) as two beautiful options.

Lisa Davies Art offers fun and whimsical original art, prints and gift products, each piece telling its very own story with a little touch of humour. Illustrated prints include Mad Cat Lady (£30), The Dog Whisperer (£30) and limited edition East Street (£60).

Buying a piece from Adam Aaronson Glass Studio means purchasing a piece of glassblowing magic! Be it a bottle, vase, sculpture, bowl, paperweight or more, each item is beautiful in its own special way. Choose the Small Pink Scent Bottle (£60) or Blue and Red Sky Bowl (£45).

The Eco fun Christmas Lip Balm set (£9.99) from Nature’s Shield is the ideal gift for children or teachers. This plastic free handmade lip balm is a great stocking filler in Frosty Mint, Merry Mandarin and Santa’s Hot Chocolate and sold in a festive gift bag.

Surrey Woodcraft produce a whole range of handcrafted wooden homeware, kitchenware, stationary, gift items and musical instruments. Off-cuts from making the instruments are used in other products, making this a sustainable brand perfect for gifting – buy a beautifully carved English Oak bowl or Beech Clock.

Bee Friends is headed up by a bee farmer who manages 38 apiaries, mainly in the Surrey Hills, producing delicious local honey, associated products and beeswax gifts. With a whole range of festive gifts, there is something for everyone. Options include the Christmas Wellbeing Basket (£34), featuring honey and beeswax skin care products, candles, honey and beeswax wraps, and the Christmas Lavender Care Gift Box (£22), with Honey & Lavender hand cream, soap and bath bomb, plus two lavender coloured pure beeswax candles.

Sarah Cox Landscape Painter brings the landscapes of the Surrey Hills and those further afield to life through her colourful, textured artworks. This Christmas, she has a range of beautiful paintings available for under £150. ‘Our Happy Place’(£145) is a stunning piece that is sure to brighten any home, with ‘Strawberry Light’ (£145) another thoughtful option.

Gift Vouchers & Experiences

Book a Festive Distillery Tour (£35) with Silent Pool to celebrate the festive season with an immersive 90-minute dive into the world of the Silent Pool Distillery. Begin your tour with a delicious Rare Citrus hot toddy in a beautiful complimentary Rare Citrus Copa glass and a hot mince pie, plus receive a £5 voucher to use in the Distillery Shop.

Choose an English Wine & Cheese Tasting Voucher from Albury Vineyard (£29.95), valid for 12 months, to enjoy a talk and tasting of Albury Estate sparkling wines with a member of the Albury team, followed by a glass of your choice accompanied by a selection of English cheese, all whilst admiring the views from the tasting room over the vineyard.

Joy Farms offer Surrey Hills art, crafting and woodcarving experiences to allow you to get closer to nature while learning a craft. Whether it’s learning to carve a spoon (£120) or weave a basket (£140), flower arranging (£95) or a fire lighting bushcraft experience (£95), there is something for everyone.

The Village Spirit Collective Distillery Tour & Ginfluencer Experience (£50) is a dream gift for the gin lover. Meet the distiller and gain an insight into distillation whilst enjoying a welcome drink and exploring the gin range. Create your own gin blends by exploring and blending individually distilled botanicals.

Buy a Rustics, Friends of the Rural Life Living Museum Adult Membership (£35) and contribute to the future of the museum whilst enjoy a whole year’s worth of visits. The Rural Life Living Museum tells the story of the countryside, its unique collection of re-located historic buildings allow visitors to explore inside, complemented by one of the largest collections of agricultural implements and objects from everyday life.

Why Knot Art offers Time Out Art Workshops using the arts as a basis for discovery and change, to empower, help, or soothe you. Art can bring people together and open a whole new world for you in the form of pictures and personal expressionism. Book the Individual Mindful Art Workshop (£160) which may include meditation, forest bathing or music.

To discover more sustainable Surrey Hills businesses this festive season, visit: https://surreyhills.org/our-community/find-local-businesses.

5D Net Zero - ISO 14065:2020

Local business gains outstanding accreditation

5D Net Zero has achieved the ISO 14065:2020 Standard for Validating and Verifying Environmental Reporting

5D Net Zero is one of the first companies in the UK to achieve ISO 14065:2020 compliance for a sustainable future.

We’re thrilled to share some groundbreaking news that’s driving us towards an even greener future! At 5D Net Zero, we’re not just keeping pace with innovation; we’re setting the standard as one of the first companies to achieve compliance with the ISO 14065:2020 Standard.

What is ISO 14065:2020?

The ISO 14064:2020 Standard defines principles and requirements for organisations such as 5D Net Zero that validate and verify environmental information and greenhouse gas assertations.

What are the benefits to 5D Net Zero in being ISO 14065:2020 compliant?

What does ISO 14065:2020 mean for 5D Net Zero? It’s our seal of approval for excellence in environmental reporting. This ISO compliance ensures our reports of greenhouse gas emissions, removals, and emission reductions are more than just numbers; they’re independently verifiable and reliable insights into our customer’s net-zero journey. This standard enables businesses and organisations to confidently champion Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

How does ISO 14065:2020 support Sustainable Development Goals?

Out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, we are actively contributing towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 and 13. ISO 14065:2020 is about innovation, industry, and infrastructure (SDG 9). By adhering to internationally agreed specifications that uphold quality, safety, and sustainability, we’re driving progress towards a world that’s not only innovative but also sustainable and resilient.

In this crucial battle against climate change (SDG 13), ISO 14065:2020 plays a starring role. We’re part of a global effort to monitor climate change, quantify greenhouse gas emissions, and promote best practices in environmental management.

Contact Us

We are helping organisations reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero. For more information about our carbon management services, contact our team of climate experts today.

Local businesses recognised for sustainability, connection and collaboration

Annual Members Summer Celebration.

 

Vineyards of the Surrey Hills and Chimney Fire Coffee have been named as 2023 recipients of the Gold Trade Mark Award by Surrey Hills Enterprises. The coveted Gold Award is bestowed upon those Surrey Hills Enterprises members that have made a significant impact in relation to environmental sustainability, the inspiration they provide to others and their work to connect with the local community and other members.

 

Surrey Hills Enterprises is a 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), whilst acting as a local support network for those independent Surrey Hills businesses.

The Gold Trade Mark Awards 2023 were announced at the Surrey Hills Enterprises Annual Celebration last night (18 July) at Leatherhead Leisure Centre, an event that saw local business members gather to network and share ideas, whilst celebrating the huge number and range of outstanding small and independent businesses in the Surrey Hills focused on quality, local provenance and sustainability.

The evening provided an informal and collaborative platform for Surrey Hills businesses to meet, with delicious dishes created from local produce devised especially for the event and served by Surrey Hills Enterprises member and creative corporate and private caterer, Lavender Catering.  Sparkling wine from the Surrey Hills were also served, as members chatted, learning more about each other’s businesses and potential opportunities to work together.

Presented by Simon Whalley, Chairman of Surrey Hills Enterprises, Vineyards of the Surrey Hills were chosen as worthy winners of this year’s Gold Trade Mark Award, announced as a highlight of the event, in recognition of the exemplary collaboration between the five vineyards (Greyfriars Vineyard, Chilworth Manor, Albury Organic Vineyard, High Clandon and Denbies Wine Estate), the level of environmental sustainability, support for and connection with the Surrey Hills and the range of experiences and activities offered to members of the public.

Chimney Fire Coffee were awarded the special Gold Trade Mark to honour the high level of environmental sustainability as a core part of their business, including achieving B Corp accreditation, the level of support and collaboration with Surrey Hills members and the range of experiences offered to members of the public from their new location within Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking.

 

Speaking on behalf of Surrey Hills Enterprises, Simon Whalley congratulated the two winners:

“The Gold Trade Mark Award recognises local quality, environmental excellence and support for the Surrey Hills and other local businesses and it is obvious that this year’s recipients truly exemplify this. We fully congratulate Vineyards of the Surrey Hills and Chimney Fire Coffee on this achievement and wish them every success for the future.”

 

For more information about membership and the work of Surrey Hills Enterprises, visit: www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

Plan a Summertime Stay in the Surrey Hills

The warmer weather and the longer days provide the perfect excuse to plan a weekend getaway or a longer holiday in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). With picturesque villages, characterful towns and some of the country’s finest countryside, there is always something new to discover and summer offers the ideal chance to explore.

With a wide array of accommodation options including stunning self-catering properties, expansive country house hotels, characterful B&Bs, independent countryside inns, historic town centre hotels and much more, there is something for everyone and all budgets. Surrey Hills Enterprises – the Community Interest Company that provides a support network for local businesses – represents the very best, many of which have been awarded the Surrey Hills Trade Mark, a mark of quality, provenance and sustainability.

Here are some inspiring accommodation ideas from Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members for a Surrey Hills’ stay this summer:

Part of The Alexander Hotel Collection, Barnett Hill is an elegant Queen Anne-style mansion, set atop a large hill in 26 acres of lovingly maintained gardens and woodland in a rural setting near Guildford. Now a luxury four star boutique hotel, Barnett Hill has a passion for delicious food, superb service and divine rooms.

Barnett Hill

Denbies Vineyard Hotel is England’s first vineyard hotel, located in the heart of Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, with outstanding views across the 265-acre estate and rolling hills. The hotel offers 17 ensuite rooms, both spacious luxury suites and doubles with king-sized beds as standard, with a Vineyard Restaurant and bar area reflecting its prime location at the heart of Surrey Hills wine country.

Denbies Vineyard Hotel

A lovingly restored, luxurious Grade I listed, 11th century moated manor house, Great Tangley Manor is a large private residence which is available for exclusive use, for up to 12 guests. This historic venue boasts extensive Victorian gardens, an indoor swimming pool and a hard tennis court.

Great Tangley Manor

A charming 4-star spa hotel set within outstanding Surrey Hills’ countryside at Newlands Corner, Guildford Manor Hotel offers a first-class dining experience, acres of picturesque Surrey Hills views, function rooms, and luxury spa facilities. This luxury boutique hotel makes for the perfect getaway for couples and families and provides an inspiring setting for business trips.

Guildford Manor Hotel

The Hurtwood Inn is a family run independent Hotel, Bar and Restaurant in Peaslake, which is in the heart of the Surrey Hills. With 15 boutique en-suite rooms, along with a separate 2-bed Holiday Cottage, the hotel also features two Wellbeing rooms, a private rear garden and terrace, and a restaurant serving a mix of Italian and English food, along with seasonal specials.

Hurtwood Inn

Stay in five-star luxury at the geographical heart of the Surrey Hills with a self-catering stay at Surrey Hills Cottages. Holly and Nursery Cottages, former cattleman and gardeners houses, have been refurbished to provide beautifully well-appointed accommodation on the 225 acre Coverwood Farm. The cottages can sleep between 4 and 10 guests and features range from log burners and panoramic views to a wood fired hot tub overlooking the grazing cattle.

Surrey Hills Cottages

A classic English village inn and B&B, The Drummond at Albury offers friendly bar and elegant dining room, pretty pub garden by the stream and characterful bedrooms. The newly refurbished rooms are stylish, sleek and comfortable, with most located above the pub, with some across in a cottage.

The Drummond at Albury

The Merry Harriers is a 16th century Inn located in picturesque Hambledon. A local Inn in feel, whilst being a destination to rest, stay and play with a host of Surrey activities and experiences on offer, stay in characterful accommodations, with something for everyone. The Merry Harriers offers four traditional Inn Rooms, six contemporary Garden Rooms including one with views onto the llama paddock, and five Shepherds Huts.

The Merry Harriers

The Old Cook’s House is located at Brownlow, between Hindhead and Grayshott, just two miles from Haslemere. Built in 1913, it is a fine example of an Edwardian home. The family and pet-friendly accommodation offers a large fully equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area, double room, twin room and a bathroom with a private entrance for self-catering guests.

The Old Cook’s House

Nestled at the heart of the picturesque village of Ripley, The Talbot stands as a storied and historic coaching inn, boasting many period features from its 500 year history. The inn was a frequent hitching post for Lord Nelson and is said to be the site on which his love affair with Lady Hamilton blossomed. Today. The Talbot offers 43 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant overlooking the terrace and garden and a cosy bar.

The Talbot

A stalwart on Cranleigh High Street, The Richard Onslow is a classic English village inn with a friendly old bar & snug, elegant dining room, secluded courtyard and ten characterful bedrooms. The historic rooms all have the little comforts you’d find at home with each one simply but stylishly decorated in keeping with the pub’s age, making the most of original fireplaces, ancient beams and low doorways.

The Richard Onslow

The White Horse Hotel is situated at the centre of Dorking’s historic High Street, is an ideal base from which to explore some of the South East England’s most exclusive attractions. The hotel offers 56 luxury en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant and bar known as The Dozen and is one of the most storied coaching inns dating back to 1278.

The White Horse Hotel

Wotton House near Dorking is a country estate hotel unlike any other. The sweeping driveway, flanked by flora and fauna, sets the tone for a rejuvenating stay in elegant surroundings. The impressive country estate boasts 17th-century Italianate gardens designed by famous botanist, John Evelyn, 125 stylish bedrooms, a heated pool and sauna and the 1877 Restaurant & Bar.

Wotton House

To discover more local businesses within the Surrey Hills, visit: www.surreyhills.org/our-community/find-local-businesses.

Learn about the wonder of wood and celebrate Surrey’s woodlands at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2023

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 9th and Sunday 10th September, the 13th 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 Surrey Hills Artisan Market to Welcome Surrey Singer-Songwriters and Local Entertainers

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 1st July, with the following market on Saturday 5th August and the next on Saturday 7th 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.

Surrey Hills Artisan Festival to celebrate the region’s best food, drink, art and crafts

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.

(c) Martin Bamford

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.

(c) Martin Bamford

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’.

(c) Martin Bamford

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.

(c) Martin Bamford

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.”

(c) Martin Bamford

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.

New ‘The Power of Place’ trade show set to showcase the best of the Surrey Hills

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 17th-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

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.

Countryside Convictions

Thoughts on cultivating a closer relationship with the countryside by Ben Webb of Surrey Hills and Rivers.

There are lots of statistics and arguments pointing towards the need to spend more time active in the countryside, but surely it’s just common sense?

The sad reality is that a lot of young people risk growing up to a life of poorer physical and mental health and, even as a result, having a life that’s shorter than that enjoyed by their parents resulting from a more sedentary lifestyle, processed food, and the pressures of social media. It is clear the answer is not contrived fitness initiatives, traffic light labelling on foods and education and controls around screens and social media, that isn’t a rounded recipe for wellbeing. What is needed is freedom and fun.

The countryside can provide what is really needed. When we commit to time in the countryside we automatically get respite from technology, physical exercise as a natural part of our day and exposure to the elements. Yet the benefits run so much deeper still. We get a chance to appreciate our dinner more than we would after a sedentary day indoors, or a hot shower, or a drink of cold water, or the heat from a fire. We get a chance to understand why mankind felt the inclination to invent all the luxuries that we have around us, and to remember that they are luxuries and that other things are more important. Personal progression in some form can be said to be the key to wellbeing, but only if it actually feels like progress. And for economic progress or luxuries to make us happy, we need to keep nurturing that sense of the basics.

In a countryside setting there is also the chance to develop the all-important, meaningful social bonds with other people that can come from managing the outdoors together, or from going through physical endeavour as a team, or from chatting together when not competing for some resource or other and instead with the backdrop the peace and calm of the countryside. There is also the chance to appreciate how other living things spend their whole lives ‘just getting by’.

In the 21st century we have to proactively create the opportunities for children to enjoy the countryside and can’t expect children to engage with the countryside without some encouragement, because access is not always easy and modern society doesn’t bless parents with that confidence to let their children disappear into the woods and over the hills from breakfast until dinner. And, of course, children themselves are often too readily occupied with screens and social media anyway.

The opportunities are everywhere out there however, with lots of initiatives to support less well-off families too. It simply takes a bit of individual conviction to string those countryside experiences together all through the year and to project the fond memories and virtues of those experiences upon our daily lives in between.

So, my conviction is to get our children out into the countryside – now that’s progress and wellbeing – and perhaps the key to a few more years that are worth living.

To learn more about the work of Surrey Hills and Rivers, visit: www.surreyhillsandrivers.co.uk

Show Your Love for Local This Valentine’s

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s still time to show your love for local by shopping within the Surrey Hills, choosing locally-made gifts or booking a Surrey Hills’ experience. With a wide range of both traditional and more unusual treats for yourself or a loved one, look to local this Valentine’s for a more sustainable choice and to truly show you care.

Read on to discover just some of the Surrey Hills Enterprises members offering fantastic options this Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Gifts

Pick the perfect Valentine’s present from a choice of curated gift boxes for Valentine’s Day from Sensiful.  Show your special someone how much you care while also spreading the love to lots of local Surrey businesses who make the gifts in the boxes. How about a Hot Fox Box (£29.50) with an array of chilli-themed gifts?  Or the Surrey Sweetness Box (£33) for your sweet toothed sweetheart? Last orders for free guaranteed Valentine’s delivery is Friday 10th February.

The Valentine’s Rose Expression and Chocolate Gift Set (£50) brings together two Surrey Hills Enterprises members in the perfect partnership. Silent Pool Distillers and Sweet C’s Handcrafted Chocolates have created this heavenly gift set to set hearts racing this Valentine’s. Featuring Silent Pool’s delicate Rose Expression Gin, combined with Sweet C’s handcrafted chocolates made with exquisite Fino De Aroma cocoa, specifically created to enhance individual botanical notes in the gin, including orange, spice and red fruits.

Vegan, cruelty free and plastic free local candle company, Winterfold Candle Company, suggest their Eventide Essential Oil Candle (£24.95) makes for the perfect Valentine’s gift. Reminiscent of sultry summer evenings, this candle pairs the deep, complex scent of bergamot – providing a comforting warmth – with the rich florals of neroli for a beautifully uplifting scent.

Enjoy complimentary Sweet C’s chocolates when you buy sparkling wine from Chilworth Manor Vineyard before Valentine’s Day. Try the Chilworth Manor Brut Rosé (£36.50), a classic method sparkling wine, vibrant pastel pink in colour with youthful purple hues and a delicate mousse,blended from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. The last order date for guaranteed delivery is 9th February but order and collect from the vineyard up to 1pm on 13th February.

Give yourself the gift of self-love this Valentine’s with natural skincare from Puremess and buy a bestseller to receive 23% off another product. The bestselling Rejuvenating Face Cream (£18) is one such product that lifts the spirits with its Neroli, Sweet Orange and Palmarosa essential oils, whilst rehydrating, softening and rejuvenating the skin with its Hyaluronic Acid.

Available in Classic, Orange, Mint, Salted Caramel, Raspberry or Peanut Butter, the 8-inch Brownie Heart (£20) from Delightfully Decadent is the ideal way the share the love with the whole family this Valentine’s. Handcrafted and suitable for 8-10 people, this delicious brownie makes the perfect indulgent gift. Order online or telephone via the website.

Valentine’s Experiences

Barnett Hill Hotel provides the perfect elegant setting for romance this Valentine’s season, with sumptuous Afternoon Tea for Two, sure to impress any amore! Served in the Library, Bar, Oak Room and Drawing Room, expect roaring fires, frosty views accompanied by dainty sandwiches, light-as-air scones and a divine selection of cakes.

The beautiful Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking is hosting a Valentines Sparkling Celebration Ball on Saturday 11th February. Enjoy a sparkling wine reception followed by a delicious three-course meal with wine, then dance the night away to live music provided by the fabulous 15-piece band, Perfidia. Tickets are priced at £68.50 per person.

Book the beer lover in your life a Brewery Tour (£15 per person) with Dorking Brewery for the chance to learn more about their seriously good beer and the processes they employ. With a duration of 45 minutes, this tour takes place every Saturday at 12.30pm and makes the perfect Surrey Hills experience gift for that hard to buy for person.

For those that want to give their loved one something memorable, why not purchase an Experience Day Gift Voucher (from £65) for Joy Farms? Let them choose a date and experience that suits them best from a wide range of activities including green wood spoon carving, basket weaving, woodturning, floristry and more. These beginner-friendly art and craft experiences provide the chance to get outside in the fresh air and learn a new craft or explore a new hobby.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic getaway to Wotton House, escaping into a relaxing and indulgent break with the one you love. The Valentine’s Package includes an overnight stay in a Garden View Room, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Petals on the bed, Chocolate Strawberries and a Bottle of Prosecco on Ice in the room. Available on Saturday 11th and Tuesday 14th February from £249 per room.

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

Home is Where the Heart is – Make the Most of your Space

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.

Ignition Fires

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.

Aequora Home & Interiors

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.

Shere Kitchens

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.

Floralscapes

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.

Timber Wolf Carpentry

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.

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