Good Morning Surrey!

You know that moment when you’re half out the door, keys in hand, and someone says, “Have you checked the roads?” Tonight it’s the A3 southbound past Guildford, and by the weekend it’s the usual question of what the River Wey and the muddy footpaths are planning.

We’ve pulled the practical bits to the top, then stacked the rest with useful community links and a few good reasons to leave the house anyway.

In today’s edition

• Woking hotel cladding works, with a permanent repair now agreed
• A3 southbound overnight closure, with a diversion through Guildford
• Weekend weather and flood alerts, especially for riverside routes
• Warm spaces, term dates, community fridge, and home repair support
• Late February markets, gigs, and a few solid weekend plans

Let’s take a look.

— Prince Khurram

_{P.S. Our Monday Update leans more towards news, the Wednesday Midweek Brief balances news and events, and the Friday Weekender is lighter on news and fuller on events and Eat & Drink. We would really welcome your thoughts on this format and how we can improve The Surrey Digest for you.}

Woking Borough Council says a permanent repair has now been agreed for the town-centre hotel where cladding has been under scrutiny, with Sir Robert McAlpine due to carry out the work at their own cost.

Click here: To read the latest update on the hotel cladding work and what the council has agreed

National Highways is closing the A3 southbound between the Stoke interchange and the Hogs Back overnight, with a signed diversion running through Guildford via the A322 and A25. If you are heading towards Portsmouth or the Hog’s Back late tonight, it is worth checking the detail before you leave.

Click here: To check the latest closure details, diversion map and any last minute changes

Surrey County Council has published term dates for 2025 to 2026, including this week’s half term and the end of the spring term. It is a useful reference if you are trying to line up annual leave, childcare or travel with school breaks. Remember that academies, free schools and some voluntary aided schools can set their own pattern.

Click here: To check official term dates and note any differences for your child’s school

The county’s Warm Welcome scheme runs through to 31 March, with a network of venues across Surrey offering warm spaces, hot drinks and a bit of company. You can browse by borough, including Guildford, then drill down to individual locations and opening times.

Click here: To find a nearby Warm Welcome venue and check when it is open

Guildford’s community fridge at The Hive in Park Barn helps reduce food waste by sharing surplus food with local residents. The council page gives the address, bus routes and opening hours, including slightly shorter hours on Fridays. It is open to anyone who can use the food, no referral needed.

Click here: To check opening times, location and how the community fridge works

Guildford Borough Council’s Care and Repair team supports older and disabled residents with small repairs, safety improvements and adaptations, from grab rails and ramps to energy efficiency tweaks. The service can also advise on grants and works alongside Waverley’s handy-person scheme.

Click here: To see what the Care and Repair and handy-person services can help with and how to contact them

Woking Borough Council is marking McLaren Racing’s double title win with a pit stop challenge in the town centre across Saturday and Sunday. The timed challenge is aimed at adults and needs advance booking, but there’s a wider town-centre celebration around it too — so it can work as a quick drop-in if you’re already nearby.

Click here: To check times, what’s on, and how to book the pit stop challenge

Healthy living day in Guildford | Sat 21 February (Info)
Location: Guildford town centre
Description:A drop in style Healthy Guildford Day with stalls, activities and information on local health and wellbeing support. Expect a mix of talks, tasters and offers from local partners, with flexibility to come and go during the day rather than committing to a long session.

Ramster Embroidery and Textile Art Exhibition | From Fri 6 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Ramster, near Chiddingfold
Description: If you enjoyed the idea of the yarn festival but want more, this is a major textile exhibition running across much of March.
Price: See tickets page

Counting Sheeps | Tue 11 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Farnham Maltings, Farnham
Description: If you’ve got a baby or toddler and you’re testing the waters with theatre, this is designed to be gentle, soft and relaxed.
Price: See tickets page

Gyles Brandreth: Can’t Stop Talking | Sun 15 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames
Description: If you like your Sunday night entertainment story-heavy, this is exactly what it says on the tin.
Price: See tickets page

Baby & Toddler Show | Thu 27 – Sun 30 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Sandown Park, Esher
Description: If you’re in the new-parent decision tornado, this is a big comparison-shopping show for prams, carriers, sleep, feeding and more.
Price: See tickets page

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts | 10–14 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Stage thriller bringing Inspector Morse and Lewis to life in Oxford, with a new murder mystery for fans of the TV series and novels. Evening performances with selected matinees, including accessible and captioned options in the run.

Spitfire Girls | 24–28 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Wartime drama about the women who kept Britain’s aircraft flying, blending live music, storytelling and World War II history. A good pick for anyone who likes period pieces with a strong ensemble feel.

Annie (RARE Productions youth musical) | 4 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Youth-theatre take on the classic musical, following Annie from Miss Hannigan’s orphanage to a new life with Daddy Warbucks. Two performances make it workable around weekend plans for families with school-age children. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

K-Pop Party with ★HYPER★ – The Ultimate K-Pop Fan Experience | 9 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: High-energy K-pop show fronted by a virtual idol group, with live dancers, sing-along sections and crowd choreography based on fan favourites. Set up as a standing, dancing, fully interactive fan event, advised for ages 8 and over.

Macbeth | 21–25 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Full-scale production of Shakespeare’s tragedy about ambition, power and guilt, useful both for classic theatre fans and households revising key texts. Evening shows with some matinee options during the week.

Diversity – Soul 2026 | 30–31 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: New touring show from Diversity, mixing their trademark street dance with a story about AI, humanity and what gives us a soul. One performance is flagged as BSL-interpreted, and VIP packages are available for fans who want a meet and greet.

Massaoke: Sing The Musicals | 28 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live (Main Auditorium), Guildford
Description: Live band, giant lyrics screen and a full-room sing-along of West End and Broadway favourites, aimed squarely at groups of musical theatre fans. Expect a standing crowd and plenty of audience participation.

2:22 – A Ghost Story | 16–21 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: Modern supernatural thriller about a couple convinced their new home is haunted, with the audience invited to decide what they believe by the 2.22am climax. One-week stop on the touring production with evenings and selected matinees.

Candlelit tribute to classic pop | Sat 28 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Cathedral
Description: A candlelit evening of music at Guildford Cathedral built around the hits of ABBA, with a full live band in a striking setting. The event listing confirms start time and links through to ticket options, with a reminder to arrive in good time to settle in.

Choristers concert in Bramley | Sat 28 February (Info)
Location: St Catherine’s School, Bramley
Description: Girl choristers linked to Guildford Cathedral are giving a concert at St Catherine’s School in Bramley. The February listings show it as a free admission evening, so it could be a good low cost outing if you enjoy choral music and want to support local performers.

Big band night at New Victoria Theatre | Tue 10 March (Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: An evening of rhythm and blues at New Victoria Theatre, with Jools Holland and his orchestra bringing their touring show to Woking. The venue site has the confirmed date and ticket options; check there for the final on the night start time before you book.

Opera double header farewell tour | 13 to 14 March

Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: Ellen Kent’s farewell tour brings two classic operas to Woking on consecutive nights. One option if you already know which you prefer, or a chance to finally see both close to home without trekking into London.

Evening of Radiohead at the Cathedral | Fri 13 and Sat 14 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Cathedral
Description: A live band returns to Guildford Cathedral with an evening built around the music of Radiohead, spread across two nights. The event page sets out times, ticket tiers and how the two dates are structured so you can pick the one that suits.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Location: High Street, Guildford
Description:Guildford’s regular Tuesday farmers’ market returns to the High Street with local produce, street food and seasonal bits for the fridge or freezer. Good for topping up after half term or just browsing with a coffee if you are in town anyway.
Click here: To confirm times, stall mix and any last minute changes

Location: Haslemere town centre
Description: South West Surrey Farmers Market’s Haslemere date brings a mix of local producers into the town centre, with a shorter morning window that suits an early shop before the rest of the weekend gets going.
Click here: To check exact pitch location, opening times and trader list

Location: Tunsgate Quarter, Guildford
Description: Etsy Guildford’s spring market takes over Tunsgate Quarter for a weekend of local makers, craft stalls and small creative businesses. It is a browse and buy event rather than a ticketed fair, so you can drop in for an hour between other errands.
Click here: To see event updates, opening times and a feel for the stallholders

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Location: Church Path, Woking
Description: The Cosy Coffee House linked to The Lighthouse is reopening in its new Church Path space in Woking. If you have missed it as a quiet place for a drink or a low key meet up, the charity has now confirmed the new location and reopening date.
Click here: To check the latest reopening details and how to find the new space

Location: Albury Vineyard, near Shere
Description: Albury Vineyard has March dates for its English wine and cheese tastings, including weekend sessions in early March. Numbers are limited, so it is worth booking rather than assuming you can just turn up on the day.
Click here: To view dates, ticket options and book a tasting slot

Location: Reigate
Description: A straightforward steak-and-wine offer for anyone who’d rather not do a tasting menu on a timetable.
Click here: To view the offer details and book a table

Location: Near Guildford
Description: A set-menu supper club themed around spices and stories, designed to be sociable rather than whisper-quiet.
Click here: To check the theme, menu and booking details

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Location: Guildford and surrounding areas
Description: If you have electrical work coming up, the NICEIC search tool lets you find registered electricians who cover Guildford and the surrounding area. You can filter by distance and type of work, then contact contractors direct for quotes.
Click here: To search for a registered electrician and check their status

Location: Guildford and surrounding area
Description: Barton Electrical Services appears on the Which Trusted Traders scheme, with reviews, coverage information and contact details. It can be a starting point if you prefer to work with a firm that has been through an independent vetting process.
Click here: To read reviews, see the service area and get contact details

Location: National
Description: Before booking any gas work, it is worth checking that the engineer or company you are using is on the Gas Safe Register. The official site lets you search by postcode or business name and view ID numbers for individual engineers.
Click here: To find or check a Gas Safe registered engineer near you

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

And Finally,

Late February in this part of Surrey tends to blur into one long damp afternoon, with school bags still full of half term leaflets and a faint smell of wet dog in the hallway. The upside is that the first proper runs of markets, gigs and tastings start to appear on the calendar, even if you still need a scarf to get there.

If your idea of a good weekend is a pit stop challenge, a candlelit concert or simply finding a warm chair and a quiet coffee, I hope you manage one small thing that feels like yours. And if you’ve got a favourite warm space or coffee spot that quietly gets you through late winter, hit reply and tell us about it.

Have a good weekend, Surrey.

Thank for reading. Let’s chat on Monday.