Good Morning Surrey,
This is the week the doormat starts doing paperwork. A council tax update, a diversion sign you swear wasn’t there yesterday, and a calendar that’s already arguing with itself about half term.
So we’ve kept it calm and practical: what’s changing, what’s closed, what’s being built, and what’s actually worth circling for the weekend.
In today’s edition
Surrey’s 2026/27 budget and the 4.99% rise - what it’s funding
Godstone updates and the A320 overnight closures to watch this week
East Surrey Hospital urgent treatment centre plans, plus Guildford station quarter homes
The Future Surrey devolution hub, bin calendars, Warm Welcome venues, and volunteering routes
Weekend picks: theatre and live music, plus Denbies, and trusted local services
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.
News
Surrey agrees 2026/27 budget and 4.99% council tax rise
Source: SCC
Surrey County Council has approved its 2026/27 budget, including a 4.99% rise in the county element of council tax from April, alongside a large capital programme for local services.
The 4.99% rise includes the adult social care precept and adds about £1.77 a week to a Band D bill on the county share.
Government funding to the council falls by more than £50 million, widening the gap that has to be filled locally.
A £297 million capital programme covers SEND places, school and library upgrades, extra care housing, highways, flood schemes and fire station improvements.
This is the final county budget before the move to two new unitary councils from 1 April 2027.
Godstone High Street sinkhole works and A320 closures, 2 to 8 February
Source: BBC
Stabilisation work continues on the A25 through Godstone, while overnight closures are in place on part of the A320 near St Peter’s Hospital this week. Expect diversions if you’re heading that way in the evenings.
Engineers are injecting grout 8 to 10 metres below Godstone High Street to stabilise the old void, with more than 600 tonnes already used.
The current expectation is still for the A25 through Godstone to reopen in spring 2026, subject to progress.
On the A320 St Peter’s Way eastbound, overnight closures run from 2 to 7 February, 8pm to 5am, for resurfacing.
Surrey Highways has updated its online roadworks map.
£8.6 million urgent treatment centre planned at East Surrey Hospital
Source: Google
Plans have been confirmed for a new urgent treatment centre at East Surrey Hospital, giving non-life-threatening cases a separate front door from full A&E while keeping everything under one roof.
The £8.6 million scheme is funded by NHS England for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
The urgent treatment centre will sit alongside the existing emergency department with a single entrance for walk-in patients.
It is designed to reduce pressure on A&E, speed up ambulance handovers and improve waiting times.
Construction is expected to start in summer 2026, with opening planned for the second half of 2027.
179 new build to rent homes at Guildford station quarter
Construction has begun on 179 new build-to-rent homes at Guildford railway station as part of a wider station quarter regeneration, including investment in the station itself.
Developer Grainger is working with Kier Property on the new block, within a project valued at around £150 million.
About £25 million of that total is earmarked for station improvements, including facilities and public space.
Together with the existing The Mint scheme, Grainger will own around 277 rental homes in Guildford once this phase completes.
The new homes are expected to complete during 2028, with earnings feeding through for the developer from its 2028 financial year.
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County Updates
Future Surrey hub explains devolution and 2026 unitary elections
Photo By: Surrey County Council
A new Future Surrey information hub has launched to explain what devolution and the move to two new unitary councils will mean, ahead of elections this May and the April 2027 go-live.
The hub sets out how responsibilities will be split between East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council.
It explains what will change for residents and what stays broadly the same day to day.
There is guidance on registering to vote, new ward boundaries and where to find more detail.
The focus is on neutral civic information rather than party politics.
Community Digest
Princess Alice Hospice introduction to volunteering sessions
Princess Alice Hospice offers regular “Introduction to Volunteering” sessions, a gentle way to explore different roles before you commit.
These sessions cover what the hospice does, the kinds of roles on offer, training and support, and what time commitment might look like. Dates run into mid 2026, so there should be an option that fits work and family life.
Click here: To see upcoming session dates and sign up
Home Start East Surrey volunteer preparation course
Home-Start East Surrey is running a nine-week preparation course, from 21 January to 25 March 2026, for new home-visiting volunteers who support families with young children.
The course runs one day a week and covers safeguarding, listening skills and how the charity works alongside parents.
Volunteers are matched with local families who would value practical and emotional support.
The charity runs these courses regularly, so there will be future intakes even if this one is already underway.
🗓️ Events - Family & Kids
February Half Term Art and Activities | February half term (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Description: Family-friendly workshops, trails and drop-in activities around the galleries, with options to book individual sessions or make a day of it with the museum and café. A good indoor option if the weather does its usual February thing.
Discovery Week at the Farm | February half term (Info/Tickets)
Location: Godstone Farm, near Godstone
Description: Half term at the farm with themed activities, animal encounters and play areas alongside the usual barns and outdoor space. Ideal if you have small people who need to run off some energy before bedtime.
Wild Rangers Conservation Club | Thu 19 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Nower Wood, near Leatherhead
Description: A day for 8–12 year olds to learn practical conservation skills in the woods with Surrey Wildlife Trust, from minibeast hunts to habitat work. Drop-off session, booking
Theatre & Performances
David Copperfield | 6–28 February 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Holy Trinity Church
Description: Guildford Shakespeare Company brings Dickens’ coming-of-age story to the nave, with a 2 hour 15 minute running time and age guidance of 8+. There are Pay What You Can Mondays, a relaxed performance on 18 February, and audio described and BSL interpreted options.
The Night Sky Show | 7 February 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre
Description: A live astronomy and space show fronted by “VirtualAstro” Adrian West, mixing stargazing tips, science and visuals. Family friendly, with matinee and evening performances.
The Makings of a Murderer: The Undercover Detective | 8 February 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: Former undercover detective Peter Bleksley shares stories from his career and explores how detectives build cases against killers. It is a talk-based evening with an age guidance of 16+.
Dear England – national tour stop | Week of 10–14 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: The National Theatre’s hit about football, identity and penalty pressure arrives in Woking, mixing dressing-room drama with questions about what England thinks it is these days.
Stand-up Evening with Omid Djalili | Sun 15 February, 8pm (Info/Tickets)
Location: Camberley Theatre, Camberley
Description: An evening of sharply observed stand-up from Omid Djalili on his Namaste tour, listed as 16+ with a healthy dose of adult themes and belly laughs.
Musical Joseph in Dorking | 17–21 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Dorking Halls, Dorking
Description: Dorking Dramatic & Operatic Society take on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with evening performances and a Saturday matinee. Good excuse for a sing-along if you know your “Any Dream Will Do” from your “Close Every Door”.
🎸 Music and Gigs
Rock Week: The Final | 7 February 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Login Lounge
Description: The grand final of Rock Week brings local bands back to the stage, with the audience helping choose the winner. Tickets are around £10, and it is a straightforward Saturday night option if you fancy live music.
Folk Night with Reg Meuross | Sat 21 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Guildford Institute, Guildford
Description: Award-winning songwriter Reg Meuross brings stories and songs to the Guildford Institute’s intimate space, more listening room than noisy bar. One for folk fans and lyric-lovers.
Dreams of Fleetwood Mac | Fri 20 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: A tribute show covering Fleetwood Mac’s big hitters, from Rumours favourites to later tracks, with a full band and plenty of sing-along choruses.
Surrey Soul Sensation Night | Sat 28 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Retreat, Staines
Description: Live soul and Motown in a riverside pub setting, with a band covering classics and dancefloor staples. Handy if you prefer live music to yet another DJ playlist.
Sports & Fitness
Magna Carta Winter Run | Sat 21 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Egham and Runnymede
Description: Scenic winter run along the Thames and historic Runnymede meadows, with a choice of distances and a medal at the finish. Cold air, good views, muddy trainers.
Chief Scout’s Platinum / DofE Bronze Expedition | February weekend (Info/Tickets)
Location: Surrey Hills
Description: A supervised expedition weekend in the Surrey Hills for young people working towards Chief Scout’s Platinum or DofE Bronze, with full kit lists, training and registration via Surrey Scouts.
Special Events
Yarn Festival Weekend | February dates (Info/Tickets)
Location: Farnham Maltings, Farnham
Description: unravel… returns with indie dyers, yarn shops, talks and workshops, plus an evening knit night. Peak Surrey if your happy place involves wool, tea and project plans.
Firewalk for White Lodge | Wed 11 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Chertsey
Description: An organised firewalk challenge to raise funds for White Lodge Centre, with safety briefing, group atmosphere and plenty of nervous laughter. Not ideal if you dislike hot coals.
🛍️Markets
Guildford Farmers’ Market | Next date 3 March 2026
Location: High Street, Guildford
Description: Guildford’s farmers’ market runs on the first Tuesday of each month, 10am to 3pm, with local produce, baked goods and street food stalls along the High Street. The February market has just been, so the next one to pencil in is Tuesday 3 March 2026.
🍴🍷Eat and Drink
Restaurant of the Week | Denbies Wine Estate
Location: Denbies Wine Estate
Description: Denbies leans into winter with cosy indoor experiences, from sparkling afternoon tea in the Vineyard Restaurant to guided tastings and wine and cheese pairings. Rows of vines outside, warm dining room inside, and that familiar clink of glasses that makes February feel briefly less February. Most options run on set dates, so it’s worth checking the calendar if you’re trying to land something for half term or a birthday.
Click here: To browse dates and book an experience
Valentine’s and Galentine’s Supper Club
Location: Surrey Hills (Silent Pool area)
Description: A cosy supper club in the Surrey Hills with a seasonal menu and shared tables, pitched equally at couples and groups of friends. Good if you like the idea of Valentine’s but not heart-shaped desserts.
Click here: To check the venue details, menu and buy tickets
Pennyhill Park
Location: Bagshot
Description: Between the Covers Live lands on Friday 6 February 2026, with brunch, author sessions, signings and sparkling afternoon tea. Day tickets are around £280 per person, with overnight packages from roughly £565 including spa access and breakfast, so it sits firmly in special-occasion territory.
🏢 Directory
Plumber Tom
Location: Covers Guildford, Woking and wider Surrey
Description: Independent plumber offering a 24 hour emergency service (subject to availability), alongside planned boiler and bathroom work. Useful for late night leaks as well as more civilised daytime jobs.
Click here: To see contact details, services and reviews
On The Go Mobile Mechanics
Location: Based in Woking, covering Guildford and surrounding areas
Description: Mobile mechanics who come to your home or workplace for servicing, diagnostics and repairs. Core hours are weekdays 9am to 5pm, so treat it as a Monday to Friday option.
Electric4U – Electricians
Location: Epsom, Cobham, Esher and wider Surrey
Description: Electricians covering everything from consumer unit upgrades and fault-finding to EV chargers and renewables. Good if you would like someone competent near the fuse board.
Click here: To request quotes for electrical work in your area
And Finally
If you’ve done that thing where you step around the same pair of damp shoes three times and still don’t move them, you’re in good company. If you spot a closure, consultation, or local change we should be tracking, hit reply and point us at it. We’ll keep doing the sorting, quietly, so your week stays navigable.
Thank you for reading. See you on Friday.
