Good Morning Surrey!

The last Friday in January can feel like the longest week of the year, especially if you are juggling school emails, council letters and a diary full of “we really must do something at the weekend” messages. This week’s Surrey news pile is heavy on long term shifts rather than quick fixes, from how primary places in Reigate will work in future to the new East and West councils taking shape behind the scenes. There is extra noise too around housing, with police families facing Section 21 notices even as councils recruit into homelessness teams, plus a fresh push to keep more public spending in the local economy.

Amid all that, there are still small, practical ways to reset, whether that is a quiet library card, a trail run on the hills or simply looking at something green in a Wisley glasshouse.

Which Surrey library or hub have you found most welcoming lately?

In today’s edition

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.}

More than a dozen Surrey Police officers and their families living in force-owned homes have been served Section 21 “no fault” eviction notices ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force in May.

Click here: To read the reporting and the policy context

A new “Source in Surrey” programme launches in February to help local firms win more of the public and large buyer spend that already happens in the county.

Click here: To read the programme overview and see the roadshow dates

Surrey County Council has agreed to move Reigate Priory Junior School out of the historic priory building and into a purpose-built site at Woodhatch Place, after years of debate over space, access and safeguarding.

Click here: To read the council decision and the background documents

Weybridge’s refreshed Library Hub brings together books, community rooms and co-working space in one building in the town centre.

Here’s what’s on offer.

Click here: To check opening hours, facilities and how to use the spaces

Location: Hound House Road, near Guildford
Description: The Fitstuff G3 Race 2 is a hilly sunrise run on the Hurtwood, with 10k and 15k options that mix forest tracks and open views. Expect an early start, muddy shoes and a low-key race village feel, with entries around the high twenties to low thirties plus booking fees, and age 16 plus for the longer route.

Click here: To check dates, programme details and ticket options

🎭Creative open day and tasters | Sat 31 Jan, 10:00–14:00 (Info/Tickets)

Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: A free daytime open house with arts and crafts, DJ and performance tasters, backstage tours, workshops and charity stalls. Some bookable sessions carry a small charge, so it is worth checking the schedule and booking where needed before you go.

🎭 The Ancient Oak of Baldor, multi-sensory theatre | Fri 30 – Sat 31 Jan, 11:00 and 13:30 (Info)

Location: The Horton, Epsom
Description: A highly tailored show from Frozen Light for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities, using sound, touch and close-up performance in a small space. The Epsom dates are currently fully booked with a waiting list, so this is more one to flag for families and carers who might want to catch future tour stops.

🎭 Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift | Tue 27 – Sat 31 January (Tickets)

Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: A theatrical take on the first ever Midsomer Murders story, offering a village whodunnit on stage with plenty of nods for long-time fans and enough self-contained plot for anyone who simply likes a cosy mystery. There is a captioned performance mid run, so do check the schedule for exact timings and prices.

🎭 Four comic stand-up night | Fri 30 January, evening (Tickets)

Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: The Comedy Club returns to Epsom with a four-act bill from the touring circuit, the kind of mixed line-up where you might recognise a face from TV and discover someone new. Prices start from around £23, with the usual caveat that line-ups can change at short notice.

🚶Snowdrop Day in the parkland | Sun 1 February, 12:00–17:00 (Info/Tickets)

Location: Gatton Park, Reigate
Description: Gatton Park’s Snowdrop Day opens up the landscaped grounds for a slow wander amongst drifts of white, with refreshments and a small plant sale on site. Tickets for adults sit in the mid single figures depending on whether you book online or on the gate, so it is worth checking prices and parking details in advance.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Houseplant January, final days | Now until Sat 31 January (Info)

Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Woking
Description: Wisley’s month-long Houseplant January wraps up this weekend, with displays, talks and demonstrations built around turning your home into something greener. It is included in standard garden admission, so you can combine it with a lap of the winter borders and a quiet café stop.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Silent Space in the gardens | Every Friday from Fri 30 January, 13:00–16:00 (Info)

Location: Polesden Lacey, near Great Bookham
Description: Polesden Lacey’s Silent Space invites visitors to experience part of the garden without phones or conversation for a set period each Friday. It is a gentle way to wind down at the end of the week and is included in normal garden admission, so you can dip in as part of a wider visit.

📝Digital detox social evening | Late January, 18:30–22:30 (Info)

Location: The Olive Tree, Sutton Green
Description: Beyond the Screen is a tech-free evening in a country pub, built around board games, jigsaws and old-fashioned conversation, with food from the kitchen if you want to make a night of it. Listings differ slightly on the exact January date, so it is worth using the event page to confirm the next session and to book your spot, with any surplus from the night going to local charities.

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.

Domination: The Fall and Rise of an Empire with Alice Roberts | Sun 22 February 2026 (Info/Tickets)

Location: Dorking Halls, Dorking
Historian and broadcaster Alice Roberts brings her touring show on empire, power and collapse to Dorking for one night, mixing history, storytelling and visuals.

West Surrey Artists Exhibition | 18 February – 1 March 2026 (Info)

Location: Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames
A free exhibition from West Surrey Artists, spanning painting, print, ceramics and more in a relaxed riverside gallery setting.

Guildford House Open Exhibition – final days | To 28 February 2026 (Info)

Location: Guildford House Gallery, Guildford
The open exhibition’s last weekend of its 2025–26 run, a good moment to catch it before it closes.

Surrey Soul Sensation – The Retreat, Staines | Late February 2026 (date as listed) (Info/Tickets)

Location: The Retreat, Staines
Soul band night in a small venue setting. Check the listing for entry details and any booking requirements.

Location: Farnham Maltings, Farnham
Description: Farnham’s curated vintage fashion fair brings together specialist traders with rails of clothing, accessories and jewellery, plus a steady flow of locals who prefer re-loved to brand new. It has a calm indoor feel rather than a car boot atmosphere, with time to browse properly.

Price: Entry about £4 for adults, under 16s go free.

Click here: To confirm timings, entry notes and trader details

Location: RHS Hilltop, RHS Garden Wisley
Description: Gardeners are invited to bring clearly labelled packets of saved seed to swap with others, meet fellow growers and pick up ideas for the season ahead. It is designed to work whether you have an allotment or just a couple of pots on a balcony, and sits neatly alongside the last day of Houseplant January.

Price: Free to take part, with standard garden entry applying and no booking required.

Click here: To read what to bring and how the swap works

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: Tunsgate Quarter, 98–110 High Street, Guildford GU1 3QY

Description: An all day British brasserie with the familiar Ivy mix of modern classics, brunch dishes, grills and cocktails, served from breakfast through to late evening. Inside you get the polished Ivy feel, while the terrace looks straight out over Guildford Castle and the gardens, which makes it one of the more obvious date night or “grown up family treat” spots in town. Expect ££–£££ pricing and a menu designed to keep everyone broadly happy rather than surprise them.

Click here: To book a table and browse menus and photos

Location: 4 Tunsgate, just off Guildford High Street with views towards the castle, GU1 3QT

Description: Independent speciality coffee in a calm, fairy light space that feels as happy hosting a quick flat white as a couple of hours on a laptop. Breakfast bits, light lunches and cakes sit alongside carefully made espresso and filter, so it works whether you are breaking up a shopping trip or hiding from the weather with some work. Roughly £–££ once you factor in a drink and something to eat.

Click here: To check opening hours, story and menus before dropping in

Location: 62 Haydon Place, a short walk from Guildford High Street and the Waitrose area, GU1 4NE

Description: A tiny, speciality focused spot that leans into serious coffee without feeling off putting if you are not a full blown coffee geek. Expect rotating guest beans, well made espresso, simple toasties and pastries, and a loyal regulars crowd rather than sprawling seating. It is more “pop in for something excellent in a small space” than “camp out all afternoon”, so worth checking the opening pattern before you wander over.

Click here: To see location details, opening hours and recent reviews

Location: The Dabbling Duck, Middle Street, Shere, Guildford GU5 9HF

Description: A busy, independent café restaurant in the heart of Shere, with a cosy indoor space, a yurt and a big garden that fills up with walkers, cyclists and families at weekends. Open seven days a week for breakfast, coffee and cake, lunch and afternoon tea, it has a shabby chic feel and a menu that suits most Surrey Hills day out plans, from bacon sandwiches to more generous brunch plates. Pricing sits around the ££ brunch lunch mark.

Click here: To view menus, opening hours and plan a Shere or Surrey Hills visit

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 works widely across Surrey and nearby counties
Description: Gas Safe and OFTEC registered engineers handling boiler installs and servicing, bathrooms, drainage and landlord certificates.

Click here: To see contact details and request a quote

Location: Epsom / West Ewell
Description: A long-standing alterations and dry cleaning shop on Ruxley Lane, covering everyday repairs through to bridal and curtain work, useful if you are trying to make clothes last or resize something rather than replace it.

Click here: To check services, opening hours and contact 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.

And Finally,

If January has felt like one long grey smudge, this is the weekend when small signs of change tend to appear. A few brave snowdrops in a verge, a slightly later slice of daylight on the school run, perhaps even the first serious seed swap scribbles on a scrap of paper by the kettle. Whether you are out in the hills, in a glasshouse at Wisley or simply rearranging the houseplants you already have, it all counts as edging gently into the new season.

Have a good weekend, Surrey.

Thank for reading. Let’s chat on Monday.