TOGETHER WITH

Good Morning Surrey!

We’re deep into Christmas season now and it's great fun to see everyone is pretending they’re all “nearly done” with the shopping.

To add to the Christmas excitement, We’ve rounded up the big festive bits: pantos, trails, and a few key travel headaches (sorry!)

If you’re heading out, it’s a mostly grey, breezy week with rain popping up now and then, so please wrap up, watch for slick pavements, and take it steady getting around.

Now, Today In Surrey:

Let’s crack on.

— Prince Khurram

Surrey Police are running a three-month Community Policing Hub trial at the Ash Centre, with weekly drop-ins where you can talk to local officers, raise concerns and get crime-prevention advice. It’s aimed at anyone who prefers a real conversation to another online form.
Where: Ash Centre, Ash Hill Road, Ash
When: Tuesdays, 12pm–4pm, December–February (three-month trial)
More info: Surrey Police Ash drop-ins

The long-running upgrade at M25 J10/Wisley rolls on with 24/7 contraflow and narrow lanes on the A3 between Ockham Park and J10, plus overnight closures on selected dates. For Guildford-London, Cobham/Woking and airport runs, it means slower journeys and the odd magical mystery tour via side roads.
Where: A3 between Ockham Park and M25 J10, plus associated slip roads
When: Contraflow in place until “end of the year”; overnight closures on selected December dates
More info: National Highways – M25 J10 scheme

SWR’s December engineering schedule includes works affecting routes into Waterloo, with notable disruption on Sunday 14 December. Some services will be diverted or replaced by buses, particularly around the main London approaches. Translation: don’t assume the usual Sunday train is running.
Where: SWR network, including Guildford/Woking–Waterloo routes
When: Key dates: Sun 14 December; Sat 27 December 2025 – Sun 4 January 2026
More info: SWR planned engineering works

Guildford House Gallery’s Open 2025 exhibition brings work from artists across the country into the 17th-century townhouse on the High Street. Easy to drop into between errands, and free if you’ve already spent enough in the shops.
Where: Guildford House Gallery, High Street, Guildford
When: Now – Sat 28 February 2026, Tue–Sat, 10am–4.30pm
Cost: Free entry (some workshops may charge)

More info: Guildford House Open 2025

Guildford Borough Council has pulled together tips for a lower-waste festive season: what you can actually recycle, how to cut food waste, where to find seasonal veg and what happens to real Christmas trees afterwards. Less rubbish out usually means less money wasted in the first place.
Where: Online guidance for Guildford borough residents
When: Live now; relevant through Christmas and New Year
More info: GBC – Green Christmas tips

If you work or visit at Surrey Research Park, Hub on the Park Café is trimming hours just before Christmas and closing between Christmas and New Year. Normal weekday hours return in early January, for when everyone pretends to like herbal tea.
Where: Hub on the Park Café, Surrey Research Park, Guildford
When: Open 22–23 Dec (8am–2pm); closed 24 Dec – 2 Jan; usual 8am–4pm weekdays from Mon 5 Jan 2026
Cost: Standard café prices

More info: Hub on the Park Café

Yvonne Arnaud’s big Christmas panto this year is Beauty and the Beast, with Lucy Benjamin, Peter Gordon and Matt Pinches leading the traditional chaos. Expect songs, slapstick and at least one joke for the grown-ups who paid for the tickets.
Where: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford
When: Sat 29 Nov 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026 (matinees & evenings)
Cost: From £19 adults, £15 under-18s; under-2s on laps at most shows

More info: Beauty and the Beast – Yvonne Arnaud

Short and very child-friendly, this interactive show at G Live’s Bellerby Studio has Santa, elves Snowdrop and Mistletoe, Rudolph and on-screen Head Elf Justy (Justin Fletcher). There’s a meet-and-greet and small gift afterwards, so you can tick “saw Santa” off the list in under an hour.
Where: Bellerby Studio, G Live, London Road, Guildford
When: Sat 13 – Wed 24 Dec 2025, multiple daytime performances
Cost: From around £17.50 + transaction fee

More info: Santa’s On His Sleigh – G Live

Guildford Spectrum’s annual ice show is Snow White On Ice, with local skaters and coaches staging a full production on the rink across one weekend. Good for families who know the way to Spectrum already, and are comfortable with emerging to the smell of chips.
Where: Ice Rink, Guildford Spectrum, Parkway, Guildford
When: Fri 12 – Sun 14 Dec 2025 (multiple shows each day)
Cost: Ticketed; discounts for Spectrum members

More info: Snow White On Ice – Spectrum

Carrot Productions are bringing The Snowman to Guildford Cathedral for one day, with screenings accompanied by a live orchestra and an extra short film and mini-concert. A proper “big outing” feel without having to drag everyone into London. Tickets are showing as limited.
Where: Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill
When: Sat 13 Dec 2025 – 2pm, 3.45pm & 6.30pm
Cost: From £17.64 per person

More info: The Snowman – Guildford Cathedral

Storytelling theatre for the very young, this show re-tells The Night Before Christmas with Hannah and Miranda Summers, floor-mat seating and a very gentle runtime. Ideal for toddlers who would stage a coup during a full-length panto. Currently sold out, but worth knowing about for future dates or if you already have tickets.
Where: Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
When: Tue 16 & Wed 17 Dec 2025 – 11.30am & 1.30pm
Cost: Adult+child £14; extra child/adult £8; babies under 3 months free

More info: The Night Before Christmas – Yvonne Arnaud

The stage adaptation of Fawlty Towers arrives at G Live after a sold-out West End run, with Basil, Sybil, Polly and co. recreating classic moments on stage with a large cast. Dates run through to Saturday 20 December; check the date grid carefully when booking, as publicity disagrees slightly on the exact start date. Probably not one for anyone who works in hospitality.
Where: G Live, London Road, Guildford
When: December 2025 run up to Sat 20 Dec (evenings; some matinees)
Cost: £15–£70 + transaction fee

More info: Fawlty Towers – G Live/Trafalgar Tickets

Hatchlands Park is hosting a Snowman and The Snowdog-themed trail, with decorated Snowdog sculptures to spot around the parkland. A good excuse for a winter walk that still feels like an “activity” to younger children.
Where: Hatchlands Park, East Clandon (National Trust)
When: Approx. 12 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026, most open days, typically 10am–4pm (closed 24–25 Dec and some others)
Cost: Trail free; usual NT admission/parking (members free)

More info: Snowdogs at Hatchlands – NT

Winkworth Arboretum’s Nutcracker-themed trail follows Clara through the woods with life-size characters and family-friendly activities en route. Great for multi-generation walks: kids get the story, adults get the scenery and the smug step count.
Where: Winkworth Arboretum, near Godalming (National Trust)
When: December dates (around 12 Dec – 3 Jan); typically 10am–3pm – see events page for specifics
Cost: Trail free; standard NT admission applies

More info: Nutcracker trail – Winkworth

Independent café Fresco DeliKafessen on Friary Street has been named one of the best cafés in the South East at the Beautiful South Tourism Awards. Experience Guildford highlights its Mediterranean-inspired menu and dishes starting from around £1.60, which in central Guildford still counts as a minor miracle. Handy for quick lunches, coffee catch-ups and pre-train snacks.
Where: Fresco DeliKafessen, Friary Street, Guildford
When: Award announced 3 Nov 2025; café open year-round
Cost: Everyday café pricing; some dishes from ~£1.60

More info: Fresco DeliKafessen – Experience Guildford

K-Town on the High Street is offering 30% off on 24 and 26 December, covering selected dishes as per the small print. One for groups who fancy BBQ and soju instead of another turkey sandwich.
More info: K-Town Guildford

The March Hare’s festive programme includes a three-course Christmas Party Menu and a six-course Christmas Day menu, plus “festive stay” options via Heartwood Inns. If you’d rather outsource the gravy, this is a central option.
More info: Christmas at The March Hare

Government has confirmed that Surrey will move to a two-unitary model, replacing the current county and district/borough structure. Guildford Borough Council’s “Decision on local government reorganisation” page links to more detail, and councillors have backed a motion asking for clarity on how existing “legacy debts” will be handled. Changes could affect how services are run – and how past mistakes are shared out.
Where: County-wide, covering all of Surrey
When: Decision and explainer material published late 2025
Cost: N/A directly, but implications for future council tax and services

More info: GBC – Local government reorganisation

Guildford Borough Council has agreed a £12.5m programme to replace around 260 kitchens and 130 bathrooms in council homes each year between 2026 and 2032, to help meet the Decent Homes Standard. Some opposition councillors have questioned whether committing now is wise given past overspends and pending audit work. For tenants, though, it could mean long-promised modernisation finally happening.
Where: Council housing across Guildford borough
When: Decision at full council on 9 Dec 2025; works planned 2026–2032
Cost: Funded via council budgets and rents, not a separate tenant charge

More info: Council estate upgrade – Guildford Dragon

Money tip – Christmas spending vs January reality

With council changes, train engineering and festive meals all piling in, it’s a good week to quietly total up your December commitments. Future-you in January is unlikely to say “I wish I’d spent more on the fifth Christmas outing.”

Triumph Consultants are recruiting a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer for a local council in Guildford, handling complex enforcement cases, appeals and investigations. It’s a six-month temporary role on around £38/hour PAYE, with hybrid working and two days a week in the office (including Wednesdays). Suits someone experienced who knows their way around planning law and a site visit.
Where: Guildford, GU2 4BB (local council)
When: Posted 19 Nov 2025; closing date 18 Dec 2025
Cost: Paid role

More info: Senior Planning Enforcement Officer – Find a job

Guildford Tuition – one-to-one academic support

Private tutoring in maths, English and more for school-age children across the Guildford area; sessions arranged direct with tutors.
More info: Guildford Tuition

MagiKats Guildford – small-group Maths & English

After-school programmes in small groups for roughly ages 4–16, mixing weekly workshops with home practice.
More info: MagiKats Guildford

Surrey Plumbing Ltd – local 24/7 plumbers

Guildford-based plumbers offering domestic and commercial work plus 24-hour emergency call-outs across the area. Handy when pipes pick Christmas week to burst.
More info: Surrey Plumbing Ltd

Vayu Yoga – studio classes in Guildford

Yoga and wellbeing studio with mat and reformer classes on a weekly timetable; online booking and pricing.
More info: Vayu Yoga

The Surrey Park Clinic – private women’s health & fertility

Guildford clinic offering fertility treatments, pregnancy scans, gynaecology, menopause care and related services in one local setting.
More info: The Surrey Park Clinic

And finally…

Between A3 contraflows, rail engineering and Christmas traffic, it may now be quicker to walk to London. Fortunately, the National Trust have thoughtfully provided two festive trails to practice on first.

Till next time,

— Prince Khurram