What’s coming up
We present our ‘What’s on’ for the month. While the autumn edition of our regular luxury publication, in print and digital form is out there, this monthly listing has been designed to give you a handy what’s on guide for this month. Browse to be inspired for places to go and entertainment to be enjoyed in Surrey, Berkshire & London:
Surrey and neighbouring areas:
Wedding Showcase at Ashdown Park Hotel – Sunday 4th October
Wedding Showcase | Ashdown Park Hotel
11.00am – 3.00pm
Ashdown Park, Wych Cross, Nr Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JR
Set within the Ashdown Park estate, guests can explore the hotel’s Converted Chapel and a range of intimate function rooms, enjoy a glass of Champagne and canapés, and take in the grounds that provide a stunning backdrop for wedding photography.
THEATRE
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Surrey…
Pictures: www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
Browse Yvonne Arnaud’s full listings HERE
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is located at Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Surrey…
Pictures: www.atgtickets.com
Browse New Victoria Theatre full listings HERE
New Victoria Theatre is located at The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking GU21 6GQ
G-Live, Guildford, Surrey…
Pictures: www.trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
Browse G-Live’s full listings HERE
G-Live is at London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA
Dorking Halls & Pippbrook House, Surrey..
Pictures: www.dorkinghalls.co.uk
Browse Dorking Hall’s full listings HERE
Dorking Halls is on the Reigate Road, Dorking. RH4 1SG
Pippbrook House is on Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1SH
Windsor’s Theatre Royal, Berkshire…
Pictures: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Browse the full listing for Theatre Royal Windsor HERE
Theatre Royal Windsor is at 32 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1PS
Richmond Theatre, Surrey…
Pictures: www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre
Browse the full listing for Richmond Theatre HERE
Richmond Theatre is on Little Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ
Guildford Festival of the Arts
After the success of their inaugural year, Guildford Festival of the Arts returns from 1st to 4th October 2026, geared to showcasing the talent of local artists and engage the community in creative experiences in a range of venues throughout the town – from cafes, art spaces and bookshops to The Guildford Institute, studios, theatres and pubs.
You can view the full Guildford Festival of the Arts 2026 programme HERE
Secretts Pumpkin Picking & Halloween Trail
Secretts Milford hosts its annual Pumpkin Picking & Halloween Trail, with family activities running during the autumn half-term period. Visitors can follow a Halloween scavenger hunt before choosing from a field of homegrown pumpkins, which are priced individually. Additional activities include pedal tractors, magic shows, a haunted house, biscuit decorating, marshmallow toasting and face painting, with some activities carrying an extra charge. Food options include BBQ dishes, pumpkin soup, curry, cake, drinks and waffles. Costumes are encouraged for a daily competition.
Running across dates from 17th – 30th October, the full timings and booking information is shown on the website.
Secretts are at Chapel Lane, Milford, Milford, GU8 5HU
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
Pjoto: www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace
24 October-1 November
Atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects and magical spells will transform Henry VIII’s historic palace into a haunting Halloween adventure, with ghostly figures from the past appearing throughout its corridors – and perhaps even the ghost of William Shakespeare. Head outdoors to The Wilderness for a bewitching autumn trail filled with pumpkins, scarecrows and seasonal surprises, then settle in for a spine-tingling storytelling session.
Hampton Court Palace is in East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU. www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace
Other Halloween events…
Hartsfield Manor: A Murder Mystery
31 October and 13 November: Step into the shadowed halls of Doomfall Castle on a storm-lashed Halloween night, where secrets and surprises lurk behind every flickering candle. A celebrated spiritualist has been summoned to pierce the veil between life and death… and perhaps between proprietary and pandemonium. Shadows conceal motives, and nothing, or no one, is quite what it seems.
Sandy Lane, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7AA. www.hartsfieldmanor.co.uk/hotelevents
A West Horsley Place (AKA Button House from ‘Ghosts’) Sleepover
31 October
A Creepy Sleepover. As the house falls quiet and the doors close to the public, you’ll have exclusive access to explore this iconic filming setting in a whole new light. A relaxed evening of themed activities. Later, there is a silent disco in historic surroundings. Your stay includes a welcome cocktail on arrival, a dinner, and breakfast the following morning
Epsom Road, West Horsley, Surrey KT24 6AN. westhorsleyplace.org/whats-on/midnight-manor
Pippbrook House
30 October
Vampirology: The Science of Horror’s Most Famous Fiend. After several sell-out talks, Dr Kathryn Harkup is back with a night of fascinating tales in a Grade II* listed Victorian gothic mansion. Is there more to Dracula than a pale complexion and difficulties shaving? A spine-chilling tour through the history of vampires with frightening folklore tales, blood-sucking bats and sinister sci-entific stories.
Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SH. www.dorkinghalls.co.uk/whats-on/live-events/
Live music at Silent Pool Distillery
Photo: www.silentpooldistillers.com
Silent Pool Gin are hosting a number of ‘Saturday Sessions’ in their Terrace Bar featuring some of the finest local musicians in a series of live sessions: Enjoy Silent Pool Gin cocktails and craft beer, and spend Saturday late afternoon in style!
These are free to attend and tables are available to book – but places are limited, so please book a table for your chosen date: at terracebar@silentpooldistillers.com
Who is playing? Conor Grant – 17th October 4 – 7pm, Piano – timeless classics and modern chart hits, Ross Connor – 14th November 4 – 7pm, Americana Country music: all the cowboy chords! Bryony Dunn – 5th December 4 – 7pm (BBC Introducing Live Lounge 2026), British folk, Laurel Canyon and accoustic covers.
Silent Pool is located at Shere Road, Albury, Surrey GU5 9BW
Watts Gallery.. The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co.
Photo: www.wattsgallery.org.uk
Currently on display until January: Watts Gallery presents a major exhibition celebrating William Morris, one of Britain’s most influential designers.
The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co. is a vibrant exhibition exploring the beauty, craftsmanship and enduring appeal of William Morris’s iconic designs. The exhibition brings together more than 30 original wallpapers from the archives of Morris & Co. and offers a rare opportunity to see original, much-loved and well-known designs. Visitors will be able to get up close to original wallpaper and marvel at meticulous hand-printing techniques.
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Down Lane, Compton, Surrey, GU3 1DQ
Tel. 01483 810235. www.wattsgallery.org.uk
Read more about all events at Watts Gallery HERE
Lightbox Gallery..
The Lost Gardens of Lobsteropolis
Artist Philip Colbert’s first UK museum exhibition, The Lost Gardens of Lobsteropolis, is on at Lightbox Gallery & Museum, Woking, until 1 November 2026. The immersive exhibition features paintings, sculptures and large-scale artworks inspired by mythology, Pop Art and digital culture, with Colbert’s signature lobster character appearing throughout the display.
Read more in our recent online article.
The Lightbox Gallery is Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 4AA
Our choices from London this month:
Kristin Scott Thomas at Harold Pinter Theatre
3 October-9 January
The Cherry Orchard
The last play written by the great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, in 1903, The Cherry Orchard follows aristocratic Russian landowner Lyubov Ranevskaya, who returns to her childhood estate after years abroad. There she finds her family home and beloved cherry orchard under threat from a changing world. As old loyalties falter and new ambitions rise, will she be able to escape the pull of memory and embrace the future? Chekhov’s play captures a world in transition, a theme that remains as resonant as ever.
Harold Pinter Theatre is on 6 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN
Into The Woods at Noel Coward Theatre
Photo: www.noelcowardtheatre.co.uk
22 September-9 January
The baker and his wife. A witch with a curse. A boy and his cow. A girl in a red cloak. A maiden with long flowing hair. A servant covered in cinders. All journey deep into the dark woods. As the adventure unfolds and paths entwine, wishes are made, slippers are lost, beanstalks take flight and new friendships are forged – revealing that life beyond ‘happily ever after’ can still be full of magic, even when there’s darkness.
Noel Coward Theatre is at 85-88 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AU
The BFI London Film Festival
The BFI London Film Festival returns from 7–18 October for its 70th edition, showcasing the best new films, series and immersive storytelling. Across London and beyond, expect premieres, special presentations, documentaries, talks, workshops and free events, alongside exciting international cinema and opportunities to discover emerging filmmakers and fresh voices.
Wyndham’s Theatre
Richard E. Grant in Noël Coward’s Hayfever
Emmy, two-time Tony, Screen Actors Guild and Drama Desk winner Christine Baranski makes her West End debut as the iconic Judith Bliss, sparring with Academy Award nominated stage and screen legend Richard E. Grant in a stinging new production of Noël Coward’s irresistible comedy directed by Emily Burns.
Wyndham’s Theatre is on Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA
National Theatre
Photo: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Electra/Persona (with Cate Blanchett)
Until 10th October
Electra/Persona arrives at the National Theatre from 19 August, combining ancient Greek tragedy with modern psychological drama. Starring Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss and Ella Lily Hyland, Benedict Andrews’ production explores grief, identity and performance through two interconnected stories where the boundaries between self, role and reality become increasingly blurred.
National Theatre is at Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Kew Gardens
Henry Moore: Monumental Nature
Photo: www.kew.org
A landmark exhibition of Moore’s work across Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens hosts the largest outdoor presentation of Henry Moore’s work, uniting art and nature across its iconic landscapes. Around 30 monumental sculptures, spanning nearly 70 years, are placed in dialogue with trees and historic vistas. Indoors, the Shirley Sherwood Gallery shows 90+ smaller works and botanical paintings, exploring Moore’s fascination with growth, form and the natural world. Expect an immersive, large-scale journey blending sculpture with living collections.
Kew Gardens is at Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE
