Pewley Down

Anyone who lives in Surrey, or is fortunate enough to be visiting the county, will be spoilt for choice when they need to get away from it all for a few hours. Some idyllic locations will be set in unspoilt rural splendour, many miles away from any towns or cities, but one, the lovely Pewley Down, is to be found just half a mile from Guildford’s bustling High Street. It’s calming and convenient all at the same time. 

Family groups in particular find it delightful, with plenty of space for the kids to run around and many spots that are ideal for picnics. This is an expansive grassland area, and even on the busiest of bank holiday weekends there will still be room for everyone. Perhaps the first thing that will grab your attention here is the panoramic view, stretching across dramatic Surrey countryside for as far as the eye can see. 

There’s a wonderful nature reserve here, too. Pewley Meadows, managed by Guildford Borough Council, offers a tranquil escape from the ups and downs of everyday life. Be sure to bring a camera and look skywards to seek out a great range of birdlife directly above you. The site, once owned by wealthy local merchant families, was gifted to the town more than a hundred years ago, to commemorate the end of the First World War.