Photo: MartynDavies, CC BY-SA 3.0Rainy day ideas in Surrey
For a wet day in Surrey, head to Brooklands Museum in Weybridge for Concorde and racing cars, to Mercedes-Benz World beside it, which is free to enter, or to the Lightbox in Woking, where under 18s go free. For active children, Surrey Summit in Guildford and Tenpin in Camberley offer indoor climbing and bowling.
Surrey has more indoor family space than most people expect, from a museum built around Concorde in Weybridge to a climbing centre on the University of Surrey's sports park in Guildford. Brooklands Museum and Mercedes-Benz World sit side by side in Weybridge, so one wet day can cover both.
Many of these places suit a rainy hour or two, such as the galleries and town museums. Climbing, bowling and soft play can fill a whole afternoon, and the farm parks with play barns keep younger children busy under cover.
Check prices before you go. Mercedes-Benz World is free to enter and park, but its paid extras cost from £3. Several venues, including Woking Superbowl and Tenpin, price bowling lower when you book online, and Lets Explore sessions must be pre-booked.
Every place here is checked against its official website; the latest check was on .
Museums and galleries under cover
Calm visits that take an hour or two. Brooklands is the biggest, and the town museums are free to enter.
Photo: MartynDavies, CC BY-SA 3.0Brooklands Museum
A museum of motoring and aviation on the site of the world's first purpose-built race track, spread over 32 acres in Weybridge. You can look round racing cars, motorcycles and an aircraft park, go inside Concorde on a guided tour, and visit the London Bus Museum on the same ticket.
Why it's here: Concorde Experience, a 35-minute guided tour inside the aircraft, plus racing cars, motorcycles, an aircraft park and the London Bus Museum on one ticket. Admission is charged, with lower rates online.
Photo: Supermac1961 from CHAFFORD HUNDRED, England, CC BY 2.0Mercedes-Benz World
A Mercedes-Benz visitor centre on part of the old Brooklands circuit, with three floors of cars, classic models, simulators and driving displays, and free entry. It sits beside Brooklands Museum, so the two make an easy day together.
Why it's here: Free entry and free parking, with three floors of cars, F1 simulators and slot car racing. Paid extras such as FastTrax and Little Learners start at £3.
Photo: Mertbiol, CC0Godalming Museum
The town museum since 1921, behind a narrow blue entrance opposite the Pepperpot on Godalming High Street. It opens out into history and art galleries, a local studies library, a garden and a coffee shop.
Why it's here: Free, with history and art galleries, a local studies library, a garden and a coffee shop. It opens Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Photo: Artistsvillage, CC BY-SA 4.0Watts Gallery Artists' Village
The village built around the Victorian painter G F Watts and the designer Mary Watts in Compton, with the purpose-built gallery of his work, their home and studios at Limnerslease, and Mary's extraordinary Arts and Crafts cemetery chapel. There are 18 acres of grounds, gardens and woodland to explore between them.
Why it's here: Galleries of G F Watts's work and the De Morgan collection, which are paid. The grounds, café, shop and Watts Cemetery Chapel are free to visit.
Image: the-lightbox-galleryLightbox Gallery and Museum
An award-winning gallery and museum in the centre of Woking, with changing art exhibitions over three floors and Woking's Story, a gallery on the town's history. Under 18s go free, which makes it an easy indoor visit with children.
Why it's here: The ground floor, café and shop are free, and under 18s go free to the upper galleries and Woking's Story. The upper galleries cost £14.50 for a day pass.
Image: Guildford Borough CouncilGuildford Museum
A free museum in a run of historic buildings beside the Castle Grounds, partly built into the walls of the castle gatehouse of 1256. It covers Guildford and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to today, with a fine textile collection and changing exhibitions.
Why it's here: Free to enter, with a Scullery Playroom for under 5s and activity trail sheets for children. Its opening days are not shown on the council page, so check before you go.
Image: Gatwick Aviation MuseumGatwick Aviation Museum
A volunteer-run charity museum beside Gatwick with classic British aircraft and engines, hundreds of models and instrument panels, and 30 acres of parkland with a viewing area over the airport. Guided tours take visitors on board the Avro Shackleton and into the nose of a Canberra.
Why it's here: Guided tours on board the Avro Shackleton and into the nose of a Canberra. It is open Friday to Sunday, with weekday visits by appointment.
Climbing, bowling and skating
Good for older children and teenagers, and worth booking ahead at weekends and in school holidays.
Image: Surrey Summit climbing centre at Surrey Sports ParkSurrey Summit climbing centre at Surrey Sports Park
A climbing centre at the University of Surrey's sports park, with more than 80 boulder problems, over 65 roped routes and walls up to 12 metres high. Four auto belays let beginners and families climb without knowing how to belay.
Why it's here: More than 80 boulder problems and over 65 roped routes, with four auto belays that let beginners and families climb without learning to belay. Clip-in-Climb costs £16 per person for an hour.
Photo of Camberley: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0Tenpin Camberley
A 22-lane bowling centre in The Atrium in Camberley town centre. Alongside bowling there is 4D laser tag, karaoke rooms, pool tables, arcade games and food.
Why it's here: 22 bowling lanes with bumpers and lighter balls for children, plus 4D laser tag and two karaoke rooms. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking is advised at weekends.
Image: Woking SuperbowlWoking Superbowl
A 14-lane bowling alley with a multi-level Laser Quest arena inside Victoria Place in central Woking, about five minutes' walk from the station. There is also an arcade, pool tables and food.
Why it's here: 14 bowling lanes with shoe hire included, and a multi-level Laser Quest arena. It is about five minutes' walk from the station in central Woking.
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Guildford Spectrum Ice Rink
An Olympic-sized indoor ice rink inside the Guildford Spectrum leisure complex, open all year for public skating, lessons and ice hockey. The complex also has bowling and swimming.
Why it's here: An Olympic-sized indoor rink with daily public skating, Penguin and Snowmen skating aids for children, and Learn to Skate courses. All sessions must be booked online.
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Pool in the Park
Woking's main public pool, run by Everyone Active in Woking Park. Families come for the leisure lagoon with a wave machine and flumes, and there is also a 25-metre main pool and a teaching pool.
Why it's here: A leisure lagoon with waves and flumes, a six-lane 25-metre pool and a teaching pool for young swimmers. Check session times on the centre timetable.
Image: Places LeisurePlaces Leisure Camberley
The council leisure centre in Camberley, run by Places Leisure, with two pools, a splashpad, soft play and a Clip 'n Climb arena. The climbing hall has 25 themed walls over 20 feet high plus auto-belay routes, in sessions of 1 hour 15 minutes.
Why it's here: Clip 'n Climb with 25 walls for ages 4 and over, a 25-metre pool, and a splashpad and soft play for younger children, all under one roof.
Soft play and indoor farms
Pre-booked or timed play for younger children, with cafés for the grown-ups.
Image: Lets ExploreLets Explore
An indoor soft play centre in Horley for children up to 10, with separate areas for babies, toddlers and older children. The main frame has three themed levels, under the sea, jungle and space, and there is a café for adults.
Why it's here: Pre-booked 90-minute sessions with three themed play levels for children aged 3 and over, a Toddler Corner for under 3s and a café for adults. Socks must be worn at all times.
Image: Mazzy Bees Soft PlayMazzy Bees Soft Play
A soft play centre in Sheerwater for children up to 8, with a two-floor climbing frame, slides and a sensory tent for babies and toddlers. The Honey Pot Cafe serves drinks, snacks and hot food while children play.
Why it's here: A two-floor soft play frame with slides, dedicated toddler areas and a sensory tent for babies. Babies under 6 months go free with a paying adult.
Image: Godstone FarmGodstone Farm
A farm park near junction 6 of the M25 with animal trails, a reptile house and daily hands-on animal sessions, plus a large indoor soft play barn and outdoor adventure play. A walking dinosaur trail and seasonal events run through the year.
Why it's here: A large indoor soft play barn with a café, daily animal sessions and a reptile house, near junction 6 of the M25.
Image: Bocketts Farm ParkBocketts Farm Park
A family-run working farm on the A246 between Leatherhead and Fetcham, with animals to feed, racing pigs, tractor rides and large play areas indoors and out. Much of it is undercover, so it works in most weather.
Why it's here: A working farm with racing pigs, tractor rides and two large play barns, much of it undercover. Book online in advance, especially for event days.
Photo of Epsom: Oscar248, CC BY-SA 3.0Hobbledown Epsom
An adventure farm park and small zoo in Horton Country Park, with themed play villages, jumping pillows, an indoor playbarn and more than 70 species of farm and zoo animals. The Imaginarium mixes a reptile house, insects and water play under one roof.
Why it's here: The Great Barn indoor playbarn and the Imaginarium, with more than 70 species of farm and zoo animals. The site is cashless, and dogs are not allowed.
Questions people ask
What can families do in Surrey when it rains?
Brooklands Museum in Weybridge has a Concorde tour and racing cars, Mercedes-Benz World next door is free to enter, and the Lightbox in Woking lets under 18s in free. Active families can climb at Surrey Summit in Guildford or bowl at Tenpin in Camberley.
Which indoor days out in Surrey are free?
Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge has free entry and parking, with paid extras. Godalming Museum and Guildford Museum are both free, and the ground floor of the Lightbox in Woking is free.
Where can toddlers play indoors in Surrey?
Lets Explore in Horley has a Toddler Corner for under 3s, Mazzy Bees Soft Play in Woking has a sensory tent for babies, and Godstone Farm has a large indoor soft play barn.