The Surrey Hills Tour Company

27/02/2025

Who is coming on board with The Surrey Hills Tour Company?!! So excited to announce I am going to be launching a brand new narrowboat tour tomorrow…📣

It will be in a new boat and in a new location!!! 😀

Add a comment if you would like to be the first to hear about it !!! 👩‍✈️🪢🥂

Linda x

26/02/2025

WOW…8 days of sunshine ahead!!! 😲🥰😎

Blue sky days and beautiful sunsets…can’t wait!

Hope it is a similar forecast for you?🤞

PS. I am always keeping a beady eye on the weather 🧐 It is part of my job running The Surrey Hills Tour Company and Ranmore Rise Retreat in the Surrey Hills

So I must share with you the app which was recommended to me by a friend and former BBC weather presenter, Rob McElwee. It is www.windy.com and it is now my go to….

I have found it to be SO MUCH more accurate than other apps. It is not the most screen friendly though which is why I have used the BBC app for this post, having double-checked the forecast on it first!

Would really recommend it! 😀

Linda x

23/02/2025

Surrey Hills versus The Cotswolds…would love your thoughts!

Personally, I think the Surrey Hills has the edge

Here is why….

🚆 Easier & Quicker to Get to…

Just an hour from London by train or car, making it ideal for a day trip or weekend getaway. No lengthy drives or several train connections!

🌳 Fewer Crowds

While the Cotswolds can be packed with tourists, the Surrey Hills has just as many beautiful villages, historic buildings, and scenic walks…without the overwhelming crowds.

🏞 Diverse & Stunning Landscapes…

The Surrey Hills offers not only forest and ancient woodland walks but also vineyard tours, and outdoor adventures

🍷 A Food & Drink Lover’s Dream…

With award-winning vineyards, a thriving pub scene, craft breweries, gin distilleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants, the Surrey Hills has a thriving food scene that caters to all tastes

🏡 A More Authentic English Experience…

The Cotswolds can sometimes feel a little too touristy, while the Surrey Hills retains a strong local community and a true countryside charm

The verdict? IMO the Surrey Hills wins!!!

What do you think? Do you agree? Anything else I should add? As always would love your thoughts…let me know in the comments! 👇

Linda x

18/02/2025

There is something so charming about a fingerpost sign isn’t there?

You will find plenty of these dotted around the Surrey Hills but most have been replaced elsewhere in the country…

Back in the 1960s, councils were advised to remove all fingerpost signs and replace them with modern, standardised road signs 😔

Most councils heeded this advice but Surrey thankfully was one of a few counties that didn’t! 👏

They have left so many in place….particularly around the chocolate box villages!

This sign is in Abinger Hammer and we go past it on our group, corporate and private tours 🚎

But can any of you Eagle Eyes 🧐 out there spot something ‘not quite right’ about this sign?! 🤔 😆

Linda x

14/02/2025

Whatever you are doing today…I hope your day is filled with special moments and simple pleasures ❤️🌲❤️

Linda x

📸 Holmbury Hill

12/02/2025

OMG it is Cameron Diaz’s doppelgänger! 🤩

Had an amazing time taking Suzanne and John from Florida on ‘The Holiday’ tour

It’s Suzanne’s favourite movie, so we had a lot of fun recreating some of the iconic moments 😀

Really lovely to receive this 5-star review afterwards too:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delightful Day in the Countryside

“Linda was a fabulous tour guide. We scheduled a private tour with Linda and had a wonderful day touring through Shere. Beautiful countryside, delicious food, and Linda’s knowledge and accommodating nature made this experience unforgettable. I highly recommend this!”

Linda x

11/02/2025

It’s not too late…there is time!!! 😅

Are you still frantically trying to find the perfect Valentine's, Mother’s Day, or last minute birthday gift? 💝 🎁

Why not surprise that special someone to an unforgettable experience in the beautiful Surrey Hills?!

You could treat them to a fun-filled Vintage Bus Tour with The Surrey Hills Tour Company

Or you could treat them to a relaxing getaway at Ranmore Rise Retreat in the Surrey Hills

or you could go all out and gift them both?!

To order a gift voucher simply click the links below:

Order a Surrey Hills Tour Company gift voucher

Order a Ranmore Rise Retreat gift voucher

Linda x

09/02/2025

After months of planning am SO excited to announce a brand, new tour for the summer!

Come on board and join The Surrey Hills Tour Company for an amazing, fun-filled day out 😀

Just look at what we have lined up for you! 🥂👨‍✈️🐝 🚎 🍯🍸🍫👩‍🍳🔥🍕🥘🍸🌲🏡📸

🚌 Travel around the beautiful Surrey Hills in a vintage bus from 1947…our bus is also somewhat of a screen legend, having appeared in Blitz, The Crown and Miss Marple!

Our driver, Graham, is quite possibly the most charming gentleman you have ever met! He also is an expert double-declutcher 😆

🐝 Visit the most spectacular, hidden gem of a hotel which dates all the way back to the 17th-century. Meet the resident beekeeper, who will share the secrets behind their sustainable honey production. Enjoy a coffee paired with a slice of their signature honey cake 😋

🏡 Travel through picturesque chocolate-box villages and explore the timeless beauty of the quintessentially English village of Shere featured in The Holiday and countless other TV and film productions

🥘 Enjoy a two-course lunch at a charming, authentic Italian restaurant, choose from an extensive selection of delicious dishes made with passion and tradition

🍕 Join a masterclass in sourdough pizza-making, guided by a chef who learned her craft in the heart of Italy! She will teach you how to make the perfect base and the most flavoursome Neapolitan sauce and much more besides

🍫 Create the most indulgent chocolate truffles, with a variety of toppings. Take home your hand-crafted delights in a charming gift box… if you can resist enjoying them along the way 😉

🌳 Pass one of the most scenic viewpoints in the Surrey Hills, with spectacular views over the rolling landscape

🔥 Visit an extraordinary home decor and furniture store and hear all about how craftsman Paul makes the merchandise there

🍸 Enjoy a delicious Kir Royale made from locally picked hurtberries by the river Tillingbourne

🍇 Go on a scenic ride through England’s largest vineyard with stunning views of the surrounding hills and countryside. Along the way, you’ll learn about the vineyard’s history and winemaking process, and enjoy a glass of their award-winning bubbles

📸 Have complimentary photos taken which will be professionally edited and sent to you in high resolution, perfect for printing and sharing

Dates: 3 May, 14 June, 12 July, 13 September and 4 October 2025

Pick up: Dorking mainline station at 9.00am (all day parking £4.30) drop off at approximately 5.45pm

The cost:

£145 per person

Here are some reviews from recent tours…

“Such an excellent day. It will stay in my memory as one of the highlights of the year!” Dilys

“Linda, thank you so much for a really wonderful day out at lovely places, and with excellent company. Both of you were perfect hosts and I loved every minute. Please can you keep me informed about future tours, as I would love to do another one soon. All in all a perfect day out!” Gill

“Linda is the perfect tour guide. Warm, approachable and knowledgeable - you will come away looking for another excuse to treat yourself or someone special! We were so impressed by the quality of all the produce we tried, the fantastic lunch and of course, the experience in the vintage bus. Highly recommend!” Catherine

“A wonderful day spent on the festive Vintage bus tour with a group of friends. Very well organised and guided by Linda, a great variety of activities which were fun to do together, and a truly memorable day in the Surrey countryside. Thank you Linda for such a wonderful experience”. Sam

“THANK YOU so much Linda for a really wonderful , fascinating day . ..you organised it all superbly .......a day we shall all remember!” Diana

“Linda, thanks for a great day out on Saturday - we all had a wonderful time. I have made some fantastic memories with my sisters. You were a great host / guide for the day and made us all feel very welcome, so thank you.” Debbie

“I would like to say BIG, BIG thank you for a wonderfully organised day. Mark and I enjoyed every minute! Cannot wait to book another tour with you Linda.” Kristel & Mark

☎️ To book please go to:

https://surreyhillstourcompany.com/group-tour-travel/

📅 Unable to make the dates but would like to hear about future tours? Message or email me and I will put you on the priority list….so you are first to know when dates are released 😊

⬆️ To follow please go to https://facebook.com/surreyhillstours
or on Instagram
https://instagram.com/surreyhillstourcompany

⬆️To follow my B&B/Holiday Let Ranmore Rise Retreat in the Surrey Hills

please go to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ranmorerise/

or on Instagram https://instagram.com/ranmoreriseretreat

Linda x

PS. 🕺 This is also available as an Experience for private groups and businesses and can be tailor-made to incorporate other activities too 😊

05/02/2025

📣 Just a few spaces left!

All our recent tours have sold out…but the good news is we have just added an extra and final date for our spring tour

Come on board and join for a fun-filled day out in April 😀

Just look at what we have lined up for you! 🥂👨‍✈️🚎🍸🍫👩‍🍳🕯️🔥

🚌 Travel around the beautiful Surrey Hills in a vintage bus from 1957. Our driver, Graham, is quite possibly the most charming gentleman you have ever met! He also is an expert double-declutcher 😆

🕯 Make a hand poured soy candle. Be guided by a luxury candlemaker and blend your own personal fragrance from a selection of their essential oils

🍫 Join a Master Chocolatier who will teach you how to make the most scrumptious chocolate truffles. You will add piping to them and add toppings of your choice and be given a little gift box to take them home…if they last that long 😉

🎄Visit an amazing flower shop and be taught by their acclaimed florist how make a beautiful spring table decoration using seasonal foliage

🍣Learn how to prepare the most delicious spring canapés from a Ballymaloe trained chef and learn how to garnish like a pro! You will get to eat them too…the perfect hors d’oeuvres before lunch

🥘 Enjoy a two course lunch at a wonderful, authentic Italian restaurant with the most amazing selection of delicious dishes

🍸 Try a delicious liqueur made from hurtberries which have been picked on Holmbury Hill and try a locally made artisan gin

🏡 Drive through chocolate box villages and visit the quintessentially English village of Shere

🌳 Go past one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Surrey Hills

🔥 Visit an extraordinary home decor and furniture store and hear all about how craftsman Paul makes the merchandise there. Enjoy a glass of bubbles by the river

📸 Have complimentary photographs taken with a beautiful backdrop…These will then be professionally edited and sent to you in high resolution for you to print and share

Date: Saturday 12th April 2025

Pick up: Dorking mainline station at 9.00am (all day parking £3.90) drop off at approximately 5.45/6.00pm

The cost:

£145 per person

Here are some reviews from recent tours…

“Such an excellent day. It will stay in my memory as one of the highlights of the year!” Dilys

“Linda, thank you so much for a really wonderful day out at lovely places, and with excellent company. Both of you were perfect hosts and I loved every minute. Please can you keep me informed about future tours, as I would love to do another one soon. All in all a perfect day out!” Gill

“Linda is the perfect tour guide. Warm, approachable and knowledgeable - you will come away looking for another excuse to treat yourself or someone special! We were so impressed by the quality of all the produce we tried, the fantastic lunch and of course, the experience in the vintage bus. Highly recommend!” Catherine

“A wonderful day spent on the festive Vintage bus tour with a group of friends. Very well organised and guided by Linda, a great variety of activities which were fun to do together, and a truly memorable day in the Surrey countryside. Thank you Linda for such a wonderful experience”. Sam

“THANK YOU so much Linda for a really wonderful , fascinating day . ..you organised it all superbly .......a day we shall all remember!” Diana

“Linda, thanks for a great day out on Saturday - we all had a wonderful time. I have made some fantastic memories with my sisters. You were a great host / guide for the day and made us all feel very welcome, so thank you.” Debbie

“I would like to say BIG, BIG thank you for a wonderfully organised day. Mark and I enjoyed every minute! Cannot wait to book another tour with you Linda.” Kristel & Mark

☎️ To book please go to:

https://surreyhillstourcompany.com/travel/vintagebustourapril/

📅 Unable to make the date but would like to hear about future tours? Message or email me and I will put you on the priority list….so you are first to know when dates are released 😊

⬆️ To follow please go to https://facebook.com/surreyhillstours
or on Instagram
https://instagram.com/surreyhillstourcompany

⬆️To follow my B&B/Holiday Let Ranmore Rise Retreat in the Surrey Hills

please go to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ranmorerise/

or on Instagram https://instagram.com/ranmoreriseretreat

Linda x

PS. 🕺 This is also available as an Experience for private groups and businesses and can be tailor-made to incorporate other activities too 😊

02/02/2025

A beautiful frosty morning in the Surrey Hills ❄️💙

Hope you enjoy your Sunday

Linda x

📸 Ranmore Common

30/01/2025

📣 BREAKING NEWS… we have just added an extra date for the spring…as the March date has sold out!

So come on board and join us for a fun-filled day out in April 😀

Just look at what we have lined up for you! 🥂👨‍✈️🚎🍸🍫👩‍🍳🕯️🔥

🚌 Travel around the beautiful Surrey Hills in a vintage bus from 1947. Our driver, Graham, is quite possibly the most charming gentleman you have ever met! He also is an expert double-declutcher 😆

🕯 Make a hand poured soy candle. Be guided by a luxury candlemaker and blend your own personal fragrance from a selection of their essential oils

🍫 Join a Master Chocolatier who will teach you how to make the most scrumptious chocolate truffles. You will add piping to them and add toppings of your choice and be given a little gift box to take them home…if they last that long 😉

🎄Visit an amazing flower shop for a demonstration of how to make a hand tied bouquet using the most beautiful seasonal flowers

🍣Learn how to prepare the most delicious spring canapés from a Ballymaloe trained chef and learn how to garnish like a pro! You will get to eat them too…the perfect hors d’oeuvres before lunch

🥘 Enjoy a two course lunch at a wonderful, authentic Italian restaurant with the most amazing selection of delicious dishes

🍸 Try a delicious liqueur made from hurtberries which have been picked on Holmbury Hill and try a locally made artisan gin

🏡 Drive through chocolate box villages and visit the quintessentially English village of Shere

🌳 Go past one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Surrey Hills

🔥 Visit an extraordinary home decor and furniture store and hear all about how craftsman Paul makes the merchandise there. Enjoy a glass of bubbles by the river

📸 Have complimentary photographs taken with a beautiful backdrop…These will then be professionally edited and sent to you in high resolution for you to print and share

Date: Saturday 12th April 2025

Pick up: Dorking mainline station at 9.00am (all day parking £3.90) drop off at approximately 5.45/6.00pm

The cost:

£145 per person

Here are some reviews from recent tours…

“Such an excellent day. It will stay in my memory as one of the highlights of the year!” Dilys

“Linda, thank you so much for a really wonderful day out at lovely places, and with excellent company. Both of you were perfect hosts and I loved every minute. Please can you keep me informed about future tours, as I would love to do another one soon. All in all a perfect day out!” Gill

“Linda is the perfect tour guide. Warm, approachable and knowledgeable - you will come away looking for another excuse to treat yourself or someone special! We were so impressed by the quality of all the produce we tried, the fantastic lunch and of course, the experience in the vintage bus. Highly recommend!” Catherine

“A wonderful day spent on the festive Vintage bus tour with a group of friends. Very well organised and guided by Linda, a great variety of activities which were fun to do together, and a truly memorable day in the Surrey countryside. Thank you Linda for such a wonderful experience”. Sam

“THANK YOU so much Linda for a really wonderful , fascinating day . ..you organised it all superbly .......a day we shall all remember!” Diana

“Linda, thanks for a great day out on Saturday - we all had a wonderful time. I have made some fantastic memories with my sisters. You were a great host / guide for the day and made us all feel very welcome, so thank you.” Debbie

“I would like to say BIG, BIG thank you for a wonderfully organised day. Mark and I enjoyed every minute! Cannot wait to book another tour with you Linda.” Kristel & Mark

☎️ To book please go to:

https://surreyhillstourcompany.com/travel/vintagebustourapril/

📅 Unable to make the date but would like to hear about future tours? Message or email me and I will put you on the priority list….so you are first to know when dates are released 😊

⬆️ To follow please go to https://facebook.com/surreyhillstours
or on Instagram
https://instagram.com/surreyhillstourcompany

⬆️To follow my B&B/Holiday Let Ranmore Rise Retreat in the Surrey Hills

please go to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ranmorerise/

or on Instagram https://instagram.com/ranmoreriseretreat

Linda x

PS. 🕺 This is also available as an Experience for private groups and businesses and can be tailor-made to incorporate other activities too 😊

28/01/2025

The 22nd March tour has just sold out!

Really sorry to those of you who were planning to book and for any disappointment

The good news is I will be putting on an extra date on Saturday 12th April before we switch to our summer itinerary

Message or comment if you want to go on the priority booking list ahead of launch

Linda x

20/01/2025

What a beautiful sunset to brighten up ‘Blue Monday!’

This is a train going along the North Downs line in the Surrey Hills 💚

It is such a scenic route and goes through the most beautiful countryside and chocolate box villages such as Shalford and Gomshall

It takes around 40 minutes and I would definitely recommend a return journey on it. It starts in Guildford and finishes in Redhill so there is plenty to see in both market towns at the start and at the end 😊

📸 I filmed this on the top of Ranmore Common overlooking Westcott where you will also find my B&B Ranmore Rise Retreat in the Surrey Hills

Linda x

15/01/2025

14/01/2025

Race to the top! 🚴

I recently organised two team building events for a group of execs (from Australia, US, Denmark, Netherlands and the UK) who were staying

They wanted to see the best of the Surrey Hills on foot and on bike and I really enjoyed showing them around the area

Lovely to receive this feedback too…

“Linda was brilliant to work with for our executive event. She was extremely flexible and adaptable. No matter what we proposed or wanted to change last minute she made it work perfectly from start to finish. I would highly recommend Linda and I look forward to working with her on future events!”

Courtney (Review on Google and TripAdvisor)

Linda x

12/01/2025

What are black and white and LOVED all over?!!

Belted Galloways aka ‘Belties’…the pandas of the bovine world! 🐼

You don’t have to walk far in the Surrey Hills before you come across these gorgeous, fluffy-coated creatures 🤗

On many trails around here, the paths take you right through the pastures where they are grazing, so you can get really close to them. They are known for their docile nature and this little Beltie was not remotely fazed when I got so close to him!

But did you know they also play a vital role in preserving some of our must precious habitats?

The Surrey Wildlife Trust believe they are the ideal breed to graze the heathland and chalk grasslands around here. They don't graze as selectively as sheep and ponies, helping to remove coarse grasses and their bulk also enables them to create areas of bare ground and break up dense vegetation.

As a result of this, flora and fauna such as nightjars, heath tiger beetles, reptiles and cotton grass are thriving 😀

Not only that this type of grazing is also beneficial as it has less impact than burning or cutting. What’s more, much of Surrey’s chalk grassland is on steep slopes, so these sure footed Belties can access areas where machinery can't!

The landscapes of Surrey have been grazed for centuries and it is wonderful the Belted Galloway is now playing such an important part in their preservation today 👏

I always enjoy pointing out Belties on my group, private and corporate days out . Have you come across any recently?

Linda x

📸 The Surrey Hills Tour Company
teambuilding

09/01/2025

Team building fun! 🥂

Really enjoyed spending the day with this corporate group 😊

Lovely to receive this 5 star review on Google and Tripadvisor too:

“This tour was absolutely fabulous. It was the perfect blend of Surrey beauty (a walk around Shere and the vineyard tour), fun interactive activities (canape and chocolate truffle making), and the quirkiness of the vintage bus.

Linda put together the best itinerary which was tailor-made for our team and took care of all the organisation. I really liked how she memorised everyone’s names and faces in advance so she could greet everyone personally on arrival. This meant the tour felt really inclusive and friendly from the outset.

The vintage bus was such a delight and really made the day special. I really loved the Artisan store and the wonderful speech from the owner who had made it relevant to the group we were. All in all a perfect day to bond and celebrate hard work with the team.” Gemma

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We love to cater to the corporate world, whether it is for a team building session, year end celebration, client entertaining or a Christmas party ❤️

Treat the team to the very best the Surrey Hills has to offer. We will take care of everything from all the activities…to the food and drink. We will have it covered!

Linda x