Experience the Magic: Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2024 Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Discover traditional woodcrafts, be inspired by master craftspeople and enjoy an immersive day out in the woods at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2024.

The much-anticipated 14th annual Surrey Hills Wood Fair is set to return this September 7th & 8th , promising to be the biggest and best celebration yet! This beloved event, renowned for its unique blend of nature, activities, culture, and community, is gearing up to offer an unforgettable experience for families and nature enthusiasts alike.

 

Discover Traditional Woodcrafts and New Attractions

This year’s Wood Fair is packed with exciting new attractions and will be brimming with beloved traditional activities. Marvel at the traditional craftsmanship in our new woodworkers’ village  – a group of highly skilled wood workers from the Surrey Sussex coppice workers. Step back in time with our authentic medieval village enactment, and be captivated by thrilling displays and demonstrations in our new action-packed arena including jaw dropping displays from The Adams Axemen.

 

An Immersive Family Day Out in the Woods

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair is the perfect opportunity for families to reconnect with nature and each other. With 90 + stalls featuring local wood artisans, crafts, delicious food and drink, and a host of free activities, there is something for everyone.

Children can enjoy hands-on experiences like willow weaving, driving a digger, axe throwing, tree climbing, and exploring the forest school’s mud kitchen. Meanwhile, parents can relax and take in the lively music and entertainment that will be ongoing throughout the day or also have a go at rock climbing, mountain biking or more relaxing mindfulness walks in the woods.

Celebrate Culture, Heritage, and Sustainability

This event is not just about fun; it’s a celebration of the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Surrey Hills. Support local artisans and learn about traditional woodcraft techniques, sustainable forestry, and the importance of environmental conservation. Witness the majestic Shire horses in action, pulling carts and logs, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere that makes the Surrey Hills Wood Fair a standout event.

Great Value and Local Delights

Tickets are excellent value, with advance tickets priced at £12.50 and £15 on the day. Best of all, children under 16 can attend for free, making it an affordable and memorable family outing. Enjoy live music and entertainment from local musicians, and savour a delicious selection of Surrey Hills’ food and drink, including sustainably made beer, local rum or gin, freshly ground coffee, tempting ice cream, and handmade chocolate or fudge. Culinary delights range from African stews to Scandinavian dishes and freshly made pizza.

 

Join Us for an Unforgettable Day in the woods

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2024 will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September at Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh. Free parking is available on-site, and friendly dogs on leads are welcome.

Don’t miss out on this spectacular celebration of nature, community, and craftsmanship. Mark your calendars and bring your family to the Surrey Hills Wood Fair for a day filled with adventure, learning, and fun.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit surreyhills.org/event/surrey-hills-wood-fair-2024

-ENDS-

 

NOTES TO EDITOR

 

Contact: Maggie Howell, Tel. 07710 019068  Email: maggie@surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk

The Great Barn 7 Birtley Court, Birtley Road, Bramley, Guildford GU5 OLA

www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk

 

COMPETITIONS – If you would like to run a giveaway of competition for family tickets please contact maggie@surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk

 

About Surrey Hills:

The Surrey Hills is one of the first areas in the country to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty now known as the Surrey Hills national Landscape.  It covers 25% of Surrey and with a 6-mile hinterland around the National Landscape it covers most of Surrey except the north western parts of the County.

 

About Surrey Hills Enterprises:

Surrey Hills Enterprises is the Community Interest Company arm of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. It was set up in 2012 to support and develop the rural economy and tourism and to promote and enhance the Surrey Hills. Surrey Hills Enterprises core activities are focused on ‘clean growth’, environmental sustainability and building a strong local economy and tourism industry.  It has a strong Membership of local businesses who receive business support including training, mentoring, collaboration and a Surrey Hills marketing platform.

There is now greater focus on developing the rural economy in a sustainable way that protects and enhances the environment. At the same time, buying local and linking to environmental impact is becoming increasingly popular and a key factor in customer choices. Many local producers also offer exciting experiences such as tastings, workshops and demonstrations.

Surrey Hills Enterprises aims to substantially increase the support it gives by building a thriving rural business community and developing Surrey Hills into one of the top nationally recognised countryside destinations and brands in the UK.

Its aims are:

  • Business Community – grow the rural economy focusing on ‘Clean Growth’ and support and develop local producers and suppliers;
  • Local Produce – develop a market for local produce that reflects the special nature and quality of the locality;
  • Local Communities & wider public – Raise awareness of local produce, local businesses and the Surrey Hills to the wider public; and
  • Visitor & Tourism Economy – promote Surrey Hills as a visitor destination based on the quality of the environment and its local produce, artisans and services.

 

Surrey Hills Enterprises is kindly supported by corporate partners Azets, Charles Russell Speechlys and Birtley House.

yew tree artwork

Celebrating National Tree Week with Sir William Worsley and Ted Green MBE

During this year’s National Tree Week, the Surrey Hills National Landscape celebrated their woodland habitat from the ancient to newly planted trees. With over 40% woodland cover, the Surrey Hills is one the most wooded of all our National Parks and National Landscapes.

On Wednesday 29 November, Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission and Ted Green MBE, founder of the Ancient Tree Forum, visited Newlands Corner to hear about the conservation project to safeguard one of the most important yew woodlands in the world and to unveil the Yew Tree artwork.

All images by Luke Whatley-Bigg.

Sir William & Ted Yew tree artwork
Ted Green MBE, founder of the Ancient Tree Forum and Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission unveiling the Yew Tree artwork by Ruth Wheeler.
Newlands national tree week
Guests in front of the Newlands Corner view. (Left to right) Lydia, Mark & Sharna, Surrey Choices, Andy Wright, Conservation & Access, Lisa Creaye-Griffin, Surrey Nature Partnership, Matthew Woodcock, Forestry Commission, Gordon Jackson, Surrey Hills Society, Gary Evans, Forest Bathing Institute, Michael Baxter, Albury Estate, Geoff Monk, Treecosystems, Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission, Anna, Yasmin, Nikki & Jonathan, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Councillor Paul Deach, Surrey County Council, Bridget Biddell, Hampton Estate & CLA, Sarah & Oliver, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Ted Green MBE, Ancient Tree Forum, Tom Hill, National Trust, Heather Ackroyd, Ackroyd & Harvey
Geoff newlands
Geoff Monk, founder of Treecosystems sharing some of the opportunities and threats to these ancient trees, and how his work with the help from Guildford Borough Council and Surrey Choices is creating a more sustainable future for these Yews, which are around 1,000 years old.
Gary newlands
Gary Evans, founder of the Forest Bathing Institute explaining the research behind spending time under the canopy of ancient trees and our mental wellbeing.

National Tree Week encourages everyone to enjoy and connect with the woodland and trees around them. With use of the Surrey Hills Access for All fund, Newlands Corner is just one of the many sites across the Surrey Hills which has seen accessibility improvements, connecting people with nature.

Cllr Paul Deach, Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader of the Council said.

“It was wonderful to welcome Ted Green and Sir William to Newlands Corner to help raise public awareness of the work to conserve our precious ancient yew trees. Also, Surrey County Council are delighted to be working with the Surrey Hills team and the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People to enhance the opportunity to access nature for the health and well-being of all our residents, making sure that ‘no one’s left behind’.”

Coalition newlands
Chairman of the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Jonathan Fisher, and Vice-Chair, Anna Satori, experiencing the improvements made at Newlands Corner since their Access Reviews earlier in the year.

During the evening, the Surrey Hills Symposium welcomed hundreds of people to the University of Surrey, this year themed ‘Woodland Wonder, with thanks to sponsorship from Ringway. The Symposium brought together woodland advisors, community groups and Surrey Hills Enterprises members into a marketplace for guests to enjoy.

Symposium 2023
Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Tim Wates, High Sherrif of Surrey and Professor Richard Murphy, Director for the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey with sponsors Ringway and Surrey Hills Enterprises member, Silent Pool Gin.

The evening then continued in the auditorium, discussing the topic of the future of our trees in a changing climate.

Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape Board said.

“Celebrating our 5th Symposium hosted by the University of Surrey, this year highlighted how crucial our woodlands are as habitat for thousands of species, flood protection, air quality, cultural heritage, mental wellbeing and to securing our future in a changing climate. We are at a critical time for nature, and the recent rebranding of all AONBs to National Landscapes signifies the national importance of these areas in the fight for nature and in tackling climate change.” Read the full National Landscapes story here.

Symposium 2023 1
(Left to right) Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape Board, Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Cora Pfarre, Head Forester at Maydencroft, Tom Hill, Tree and Woodland Advisor at the National Trust and Professor Richard Murphy, Director for the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey

Guests were delighted to experience a short performance by Freewheelers Theatre Company, who premiered their first outdoor woodland themed piece at this year’s Surrey Hills Arts event ‘WonderDusk’. You can watch Freewheeler’s performance from 00:57:00 here and the WonderDusk video here.

Freewheelers symp
Freewheelers Theatre Company performing a piece inspired by trees and woodland.

National Tree Week concluded with the Surrey Hills team coming together to help manage the chalk grassland in the Southwest of the National Landscape.

Gordon Jackson, Chairman of our Surrey Hills Society, said.

“We were delighted finish the week tree popping at the Hampton Estate to enable the chalk downland to thrive. The Surrey Hills team were joined by Surrey Hills Enterprises businesses, making space for nature for species such as the small blue butterfly. Surrey Hills Society are also out tree planting with fantastic volunteers this winter with support from the Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes fund.”

Tree popping SHE
The Surrey Hills team with Surrey Hills Enterprises members including Shetland Pony Club and Surrey Hills and Rivers.

Watch our Woodland Wonder short films here and the recording of the Surrey Hills Symposium here. #MySurreyHills

A National Landscape for All

The Surrey Hills Symposium 2022 identified that the Surrey Hills is a landscape for all. During the event, the audience engaged in a variety of polls which indicated we should be encouraging more people to enjoy the area, especially from communities traditionally unfamiliar with it. The Symposium highlighted how we can all learn how to respect the countryside and care for nature.

On Wednesday 23 November, the Symposium began with a marketplace made up of community groups, partners, and Surrey Hills Enterprises members welcoming guests to the University of Surrey. A thriving marketplace with a common goal; to help make the countryside more accessible to all, ensuring it is protected for people and nature. Guests enjoyed refreshments from Surrey Hills Enterprises member Mandira’s Kitchen. Surrey County Council offered sixty free trees for guests to take away and plant in a space near their home. The aim is to plant 1.2 million trees in Surrey, one for every resident, by 2030.

The marketplace was followed by a showcase and debate asking how we can all protect, respect, and enjoy our National Landscape. The event was opened by Professor Max Lu President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, who celebrated the University’s launch of the Innovation Exploratorium earlier in the day. These spaces provide visitors the opportunity to explore their research showing the impacts nature has on us, and we can have on nature. This is tightly connected to the launch earlier in the year of Surrey Hills Arts’ HABITAT project which is hosted on campus. The HABITAT project tackles the climate and biodiversity crisis head on by working with local communities to develop and sustain ecological green spaces in urban areas.

Heather Kerswell, Independent Chair of the Surrey Hills Board, showcased some of the collaborative projects undertaken throughout the year helping connect different people with nature. Heather quoted Julian Glover in a review commissioned by the government who said that areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Surrey Hills were just as important and effective as National Parks; he proposed that they should be renamed National Landscapes and given new purpose in reaching out to everyone in their catchment, not just the people who traditionally use them. Acknowledging this, Defra has awarded the Surrey Hills with an access fund to help provide better access and a higher quality experience to those who have barriers to the landscape.

“Glover challenges us as National Landscapes to reach out to our whole population in everything we do. It is positive to see so much activity undertaken by our Surrey Hills family and partners, but we know that more needs to be done for everyone to be able to Thrive with Nature. How can we open the door wider?”

Heather Kerswell, Independent Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape

A new video was showcased featuring a variety of people enjoying and volunteering in the Surrey Hills. As well as enjoyment and conservation, music and arts are key to reaching new audiences. The Surrey Hills Arts ‘Harvest’ event connected hundreds of people to the National Trust’s Box Hill viewpoint, gathered round Diana Burch’s art installation ‘Seeds of Hope’, which we brought to the Symposium to form a backdrop to the speakers.

In-person and online guests then heard from four fantastic speakers about their focus and vision towards making the countryside a place for all, who then answered your questions on their subject matter.

Judy Ling Wong – Hon President, Black Environment Network

“We love what we enjoy, and we protect what we love. Access to nature lays down the basis for the contribution by everyone to the care and protection of nature.”

Haroon Mota – Founder, Active Inclusion Network

Seeing minorities out in the countryside shouldn’t be strange or a reason to be labelled. Often the biggest barrier is that we haven’t had the outdoors embedded within us from a young age. You can’t be what you can’t see. Community is integral to success and by bringing everybody together, we can find a sense of confidence and belonging in these natural spaces.”

Stephanie Fudge – General Manager, National Trust Surrey Hills

“I believe that the countryside is for everyone- it already is. The National Trust sites in the Surrey Hills welcome a huge diversity of people who come by many means of transport. Our job is to welcome everyone and to share understanding of what they are visiting so they want to help protect it for the future. We have already seen that if visitors are asked to help and know why, they willingly step forward and change their behaviour.”

Ashley Greening – Intern, Surrey Wildlife Trust

“We belong to nature; we don’t own it. We can create a countryside for all by caring for nature but taking out the man-made obstacles that limit some people from enjoying and protecting it.”

This stimulating debate was artistically captured by Veronica Wood, creating a vision of what the future may look like in terms of our access and protection of nature.

Finally, the event concluded with closing remarks from Gordon Jackson, Chair of the Surrey Hills Society. There was a premiere of the new ‘Making Space for Nature’ film, a collaboration between the National Trust and Surrey Hills. This film celebrates the 150-year birthday of the composer of the Lark Ascending, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the fantastic mosaic of habitat that the Surrey Hills landscape offers.

As guests departed the event, they were asked to write down comments on their thoughts towards how we can improve access to nature whilst protecting the landscape. These responses will help support decision making of future project work made possible by Defra’s access fund towards capital improvements towards access to the countryside.

With thanks to the University of Surrey for hosting our event, and all our partners, community groups and Surrey Hills Enterprises members for exhibiting.

You can watch the recording of the event below.

A Surrey Hills Harvest

Connecting our communities to their landscape

This year’s Harvest event on Sat 17 Sept welcomed hundreds of people to the top of Box Hill to celebrate the outstanding Surrey Hills landscape through the arts. Our connection to each other and the countryside is integral to our mental and physical wellbeing. Harvest aims to bring communities together in the landscape through the arts in an inclusive and diverse environment. The event is a partnership between Surrey Hills Arts, the National Trust and Mole Valley District Council, focusing on connecting us with each other and nature. Harvest is the first event of Landscapes for Life week, an opportunity for us to all celebrate our protected landscapes across the UK.

A striking centrepiece by Diana Burch, ‘Seeds of Hope’, was illuminated at dusk on Donkey Green. This sustainable artwork is made purely from sticks and recycled yarns. The colourful ‘seedpods’ are made up of many smaller ‘cells’, where hundreds of local people, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have contributed to over the past few months, through workshops supported by Mole Valley District Council and the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The mindful act of binding with the wool encouraged contemplation, as well as an openness with others doing the activity.

In a world that often feels challenging, Seeds of Hope demonstrates a renewal of optimism by connecting us with each other and the natural world.
– Diana Burch, Artist

During the Harvest preparations, over 100 Muslim hikers from community hiking group Active Inclusion Network met at Ryka’s Café at the bottom of Box Hill for their first hike in Southern England. This 10-mile hike was facilitated by the Surrey Hills National Landscape team and the National Trust to provide an opportunity for us all to connect, learn about and explore the beautiful Surrey countryside. Active Inclusion Network brings together people across the UK and internationally with a common goal; to champion diversity outdoors. Led by National Trust guides on their Box Hill hike, they had the opportunity to carefully hop across the famous Stepping Stones, and after the challenging steps up to the viewpoint, they could drink in the stunning sights of Box Hill. Their mid-point respite was at Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD), where a welcomed vegetarian fire-pit lunch was provided. Upon the conclusion of their hike, the group joined hundreds of local people and communities for Harvest.

As a group trying to bridge the gap between ethnic minority communities and the outdoors, we were so grateful to the Surrey Hills AONB team for reaching out to us. Not just to invite us to the area, but working closely to understand the needs of our community and then working with us over the course of several weeks and months to help us get there. It was such an incredible experience for our community and we can’t wait to return.

– Haroon, Active Inclusion Network

The Harvest event programme began with a vibrant musical set from 5 members of Ukrainian band Atmasfera. These band members are currently living in Surrey as part of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ programme, and kindly shared their talents to welcome guests to the event. Four poems were recited; ‘Learn from the Oak’ by Elizabeth Barton, ‘Noticed while driving’ by Helen Overell and ‘Poet’s Sonnet on Holmwood Common’. These Mole Valley Poets had created pieces in direct response to this landscape. The final poem by Simon Armitage ‘Floral Bouquet’ was a heartfelt and special recital by Mole Valley District Council’s Councillor, Claire Malcomson, to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

The voices from over 10 local choirs sung out across the viewpoint, including a round created by Anna Tabbush with the same name as the installation, ‘Seeds of Hope’. The choirs also sang Anna’s song ‘Harbour’, written in response to the refugee crisis and tragedies happening across the UK and world, which had a huge response following its release.

I would like my song to help all those fleeing war zones. Soon we will be welcoming more refugees into our countries and my hope is that my song will help ensure they are met with warmth, compassion, and generosity.

– Anna Tabbush, local composer

Harvest concluded with a breath-taking gentle walk down the famous Zig Zag Road, home of 2012 Olympic road cycling events, which was encouraged to be partaken in thoughtful silence, remembering Her Majesty the Queen. By carrying small lanterns, the attendees celebrated our Dark Skies, one of the many magical sights that the countryside offers. Light pollution not only limits our views of the stars, but also disrupts wildlife patterns and is a signifier of wider energy issues. The procession was a fitting end to a heartfelt, meaningful event.

Photos by Surrey Hills Enterprises member Martin Bamford

Muslim hikers at box hill

Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2022

Celebrate Surrey’s woodlands and discover the wonder of wood at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2022

Learn about traditional woodland crafts and enjoy an immersive day out in the woods at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2022.

Wood Fair

Held from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September, the 12th annual Surrey Hills Wood Fair will take place at Fish Pond Copse in Cranleigh and is an exciting and educational day out for the whole family. Brimming with traditional rural charm, enjoy woodland-based activities and demonstrations, take part in interactive activities and browse handmade wood-crafted products.

Advance tickets are priced at £7.50 or £10 on the gate, with free entry for children under 16.

Wood Fair

Wood FairTake a walk through the woods and see wood crafting, learn fire making or knife skills, listen to storytelling and be inspired by hedge making and craft activities.

Organised by Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises, the alfresco event will cover a host of countryside pursuits, with lots to get involved with, including tree climbing, axe throwing, archery, forest bathing, digger driving and saw mill demos.

Children will especially love the shire horse and wagon rides, giant board games, bug hunting and zip wire, with lots to keep family members, big and small, entertained.

The perfect early autumn day out in a magnificent setting with easy access from Cranleigh, spend time in the fresh air in the company of family and friends at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair, get amongst the trees and celebrate the beauty of the woodlands of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Wood Fair

With Surrey the most wooded county, learn about the benefits of woodlands for the planet, body and mind, as well as our Surrey Hills heritage, whilst supporting independent businesses and skilled artisans in the process. Smell the wood smoke, discover the versatility of wood as a material and see master craftspeople in action.

Wood Fair

Wood FairThere will be beautiful woodland products from local artisans available to browse, buy and take home, as well as a delicious selection of Surrey Hills’ food and drink on offer 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 made options including African stews, healthy seasonal dishes, indulgent waffles and much more.

Wood Fair

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 priced at £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

Surrey Hills Symposium 2021: Our Climate and Biodiversity Emergency

The annual Surrey Hills Symposium returned on 24 November, both in-person and live streamed from the University of Surrey.

The Symposium was hosted by the University of Surrey, and we were joined for an introduction from Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Graham Miller. He discussed the fantastic practical action the university is taking to tackle climate change, for example by integrating education on the topic into every degree programme. 

Keynote speaker, Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, brought home that we need to now take an integrated approach of intelligent choices to deal with the twin crisis of mass animal and biodiversity extinction and the global rise in average temperatures.  

The debate was chaired by Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Surrey and BBC broadcaster, Jim Al-Khalili. It featured inspiring short talks from Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Heather Ackroyd, Surrey Hills based artist of Ackroyd and Harvey, Daro Montag, Associate Professor of Art and Environment at Falmouth University and James Miller, Cambridge University student and young environmental activist. It was a powerful and energetic debate which covered off discussions such as what we can all do to provide action each morning, to what changes are being made locally to support biodiversity. 

Finally, Surrey Hills National Landscape Chair, Heather Kerswell, summed up the evening. 

Heather comments; 

“The evening was not about the Surrey Hills, it was about us facilitating a wider debate, and our speakers have done us proud. The debate now forms the context for our own work which goes right to the grass roots in Surrey.” She invited everyone to take home a tree to plant. 

Earlier on in the afternoon, innovative artists gave talks and workshops demonstrating the crucial role creative practitioners are taking towards the crisis and inspiring wider audiences to enjoy and care for nature, We heard how artist Anna Dumitriu has been working alongside scientists for the past 20 years on projects such as “Fermenting Futures” which contains a yeast capable of capturing Carbon dioxide and from sculptor Will Nash who has developed inhabitable sculptures to support local species. We heard from artist duo Ackroyd & Harvey about their recent collaboration with writer Ben Okri to create ‘On the Shore’, an enormous grass banner of words created in the turbine hall of the Tate Modern that was processed to the embankment and floated on the Thames. Creative arts practice that can positively contribute to addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency locally and globally.  

This was followed by the Surrey County Council Climate Change Delivery Plan Launch Reception. With representatives attending from across Surrey’s communities, businesses and organisations. The evidence-based plan outlines the steps necessary to reach the net zero targets of 2030 as an organisation and 2050 as a county. 

To watch the Surrey Hills Symposium 2021, please click below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mANre9RBG7w&t=4s