The Kings Arms and Royal. Originally built in the 17th century, the Kings Arms & Royal Hotel is a grand historic building. The hotel has seen several famous faces during its many years of trading, including Henry VIII and Peter the Great. The name of the hotel is due to …

Hatchlands Park Run – raising much needed funds for The Samson Centre for MS If you wanted an alternative race to the Reigate Half Marathon on Sunday 15th September then the Hatchlands ,5,10 & 15k races were a great alternative. A Parkland run in a fantastic setting at Hatchlands Park National Trust the …

Our team at VantagePoint magazine had our press day lunch last Friday and were impressed with all aspects of our experience. The weather played it’s part and as it was such a beautiful day we dined in the garden surrounded by apple trees. The food we were served was from …

Having been a nursery practitioner for 3 years and then a nanny for 5 years, I know the struggle of trying to get enough fruit and veg into a child’s diet. Honey Bees Day Care have some great tips for those of you who might have a more ‘selective’ eater …

This is a circular walk through fields and woods. There is a steep climb at Leith Hill but you can avoid it and shorten the walk if you wish. There is a lovely pub en-route, The Plough at Coldharbour, please see the offer below. The walk description is provided by …

This is an easy walk through woods and fields and it affords views onto both Frensham Great Pond and Frensham Little Pond. There are two good pubs, one on Tilford Green and the Duke of Cambridge which is a short drive from the starting point on the road towards Hindhead. …

As the summer holiday season comes to an end and evenings start to draw in you might be thinking about getting your home ready for Autumn. Do those draughty windows and doors need replacing or would installing a wood burning stove create a cosier atmosphere in your living room? Perhaps …

Woolbeding Gardens delight at every turn with distinctive garden rooms set against manicured hedges and thoughtfully composed colour-themed borders. Formal lawns melt into the rural landscape and beyond the meadow, you’ll find a waterfall, gothic summerhouse and enchanting landscape garden. Beyond the boundary of the formal gardens, a short walk …

On Sunday 20th October Kelly’s Storage Charity Events will be holding their 10th annual fundraising run as well as a celebratory 10 mile Sunrise Walk. Kelly’s organise and pay for these events to raise money for Challengers, a local charity who provide play and leisure for disabled children and young …

Christmas at Kew 2019 Brand new trail to illuminate the magnificent Treetop Walkway and Temperate House Wednesday 20 November 2019 – Sunday 5 January 2020 5pm – 10pm (advance booking only) • New route for 2019 brings waterfall of lights cascading from towering 18m-high Treetop Walkway in Kew’s arboretum • …

St Catherine’s Hospice annual Dragon Boat Festival returned to Tilgate Park in style yesterday (Sunday 8 September), for a fantastic day of free family fun! Thousands of people turned out at Tilgate to watch 34 teams, made up of local businesses, battle it out to be crowned Dragon Boat Champions …

A father and his two teenage daughters from near Godalming completed an epic fortnight-long, 350-mile, fundraising walk from Hartlepool to Surrey via Oxford and London to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of Keta Hansen, who died earlier this year from the devastating disease. Inspired by …

UK2Learn are an international education company based in Surrey and they are looking for host families in the Farncombe and Godalming area to host a group of 14/15 year old Spanish students. The students will be studying at Broadwater School for three weeks this autumn from Sunday 23rd September – Monday …

This is a largely flat walk through fields and woods, passing an interesting old chapel. The walk description is provided by Guildford Rambling Club (guildfordramblingclub.org.uk). 1. From the parking area walk north along the road to reach the Kings Head. Take the footpath right that goes through the churchyard behind …

On Friday 23rd August 2019, over eighty keen golfers took part in Leatherhead Rotary Club’s 28th Annual Charity Golf Day at Effingham Golf Club in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Teeing off with a sandwich lunch, the 21 teams of four then headed out on to the course …

  IN HOME CARE HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST CARE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR IN THE GREAT BRITISH CARE AWARDS 2 September 2019, Waterlooville, Hampshire Nominations have also been made in 3 other categories: Best Care Team, Putting People First and Best Registered Manager The Great British Care Awards have …

Coffee with a life coach. I am an avid believer that most of the general public could benefit from a life coach, a counselor, a sponsor or all the above. The world is a fast paced, stressful rat race at times, and it can be very easy to overlook the …

This is a pleasant walk through fields and woods and across a heath. The shorter option is largely flat. The longer option adds in some minor ups and downs. There are a number of refreshment places along the route including the Woolpack in Elstead (see offer below). The walk description …

  Denbies Hillside and neighbouring Ranmore Common are some of the richest chalk grasslands in south east England. The downs tumble towards to the pretty village of Westcott with beautiful views in all directions. Taken from www.nationaltrust.org.uk where a bigger map can be downloaded. 1. Leave the car park (marked …

  Howletts, the Aspinall Wild Animal Park. It was a milestone birthday for my Mother this year, I would tell you which one, but I doubt I would survive the wrath that would soon follow. Myself and my sister decided that this year we would do something a bit special …

Allow about two hours for this undulating and at times hilly walk. The walk follows public footpaths and bridleways which cross private land, so please respect people’s privacy. Leave the station car park by steps then turn left up road. Cross road at railway bridge and take footpath on right …

La Casita  Having been a Guildford gal for over half my life, it is fair to say I have frequented most of the restaurants in Guildford. This may not sound like much of an achievement, but there are a lot to choose from! We are very lucky to have such …

  This is a pleasant walk with some lovely views. It starts from the Woolbeding carpark at Older Hill near Midhurst which itself has a magnificent vista as seen right. This is the first walk I have done using a new walking app called ViewFinder. If you get a premium …

Awesome Autumn at Leith Hill Place Celebrating the best of the season for the next couple of months, Leith Hill Place will be exploring all things linked to autumn and the descent into winter. ‘Arboreal’ by Blaze Cyan Detailed etchings of the elegant and magnificent trees on the Leith Hill …

Over 50% of pupils’ grades are 9-8, an incredible achievement in this new grading system. Founded in 1611, the School moved from London to its current 250-acre site in Godalming, Surrey in 1872.  Building on the success of our coeducational Sixth Form, the School is moving to full coeducation from …

A couple of weeks ago, I had a phone call from Linda who was wanting to spread the word about the Denningberg Centre. Having worked in Godalming for two years I have to be honest and admit I had never heard of it. I decided that I was going to …

I was lucky enough to have a free pass to the Pool and Spa at the Hogs Back Hotel (farnhamhogsbackhotel.co.uk/) which I enjoyed over the week-end. The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing and a good amount of space in which to use the facilities. There was a sauna and steam …

Farnham Roller Hockey Club are thrilled to announce that Hannah Sollars, has earned a place in the England Ladies U17 squad for the Euro Cup tournament in Matera, Italy in December.   Hannah started playing roller hockey for Farnham seven years ago at the age of eight, and has steadily progressed …

The first chapter of  Woolly Tales. I met Andy for a coffee this morning as I wanted to find out more about this unique business him and his wife Nicola have set up from their home in Godalming. Andy is a graphic designer, illustrator and photographer. His wife Nicola knits …

  This is a glorious and fairly short walk, full of variety, with a fine village at the start and a good pub at the high point. It also passes close to two of the most interesting and ancient churches in Surrey. Since publishing this walk in VantagePoint, we have …

Surrey Hills Forest School A good number of years ago I worked alongside Lee for 3 years at a pre-school in Guildford, and in that time we both tried to get as many qualifications under our belts as we could. Lee was always very vocal about the end goal for …

Claire and I were treated to a most enjoyable afternoon at the Holiday Inn Natural-light Spa this week. The pool was very quiet and a decent length with jacuzzi, steam room and sauna alongside. Relaxing on poolside loungers we enjoyed our apple, kiwi, lime and spinach smoothie before heading in …

 On July 23rd Alex and I, from the VantagePoint team were invited to Pickadeli headquarters to get a bit more insight into this unique business. We wanted to know where the idea of the business had come from and where they were hoping it was going. As soon as we …

What a wonderful friendly carnival atmosphere in Dorking on Sunday for the annual ‘Ride London Surrey 100’ cycle event. With fabulous weather conditions, Sunday saw over 25,000 amateur and elite riders take part in this year’s event – and part of the stretch through Surrey sees riders head through the …

  This lovely little shop in the heart of Godalming has been running for 10 years, and the girls have decided that it is now time to move to pastures new. Having been on the high street since the 60’s and being as well known and loved as they are, …

Our own running enthusiast Sarah, took part in the Waverley Harriers  ‘Staycation’ fun run on Saturday morning at Broadwater Park. The total number of runners was 104. A split of 53 male runners and 51 female inc 14 children. Waverley Harriers https://waverleyharriers.co.uk/ had organised the fun run, supported by Waverley …

A new fundraising campaign has been launched to restore a lost viewpoint on the North Downs Way National Trail. Just a short walk from Newlands Corner the trees and undergrowth have grown up significantly, closing off views across the Weald to the South Downs. Surrey Hills Arts want to re-create …

The 28th Chichester International Film Festival, in partnership with Greenwood Wealth Solutions, BFI and FilmHub SE, is thrilled to announce that this year’s Opening Gala Film on Thursday 8 August at Chichester Cinema at New Park will be the UK Premiere of The Conductor, a magnificent and epic new Dutch …

Nationally, Citizens Advice found that 48% of those who were helped with energy problems were disabled or had a long-term health problem.  In January this year we promoted the Energy Best Deal Extra Project and we helped people on low incomes or benefits, those with disabilities or long term illnesses, …

A week’s sea cruise from Malta in June is not a proposition to be immediately spurned. It certainly contains elements of attraction yet also offers reasons to demand caution. While it is getting cheaper, cruising has never exactly been the budget choice and being contained in the middle of the …

Surrey’s premier arts and entertainment venue, G Live, has announced an exciting new year-long education partnership with Guildford County School, which is set to launch at the beginning of the 2019/20 academic year in September. Now in its fifth year, G Live’s successful Partnership Schools Scheme offers one local school …

This Summer, at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, visitors will enjoy prehistoric adventures with exciting dinosaur shows featuring a moving T- Rex, included in the price of their entry ticket. Alongside the dinosaur shows, visitors will be able to take part in additional activities, for a small charge, including fossil …

Long before I worked for VantagePoint I partook in the Guildford Lions Raft Race for several years. Some years with a lot more success than others, one year our boat started disintegrating as soon as we left the start line. For the past couple of years, I have decided to …

VantagePoint were out and about at the Albury Produce show on Saturday. Steeped in history the show has been held continuously on Albury Heath since 1861.  It was halted for a few years during WW2 and was re-started in 1946.  The activities are all run by volunteers and the show …

The Garden Show at  Loseley Park Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS ART, DESIGN, YOUR HOME, YOUR GARDEN & …. YOU! 26 – 28 July 2019 Open 10am – 5pm daily It’s the eighth year of The Garden Show at Loseley Park in July 2019. The perfect event to find all you …

TMC Fencing. It’s that time of year where the gardens in England look stunning. Flowers are in bloom, the grass is lush and green, potted plants are flourishing and of course everyone is spending a lot more time out in the garden. My mother had recently discovered that she is …

Once upon a time, at the heart of every UK town was a pub. It was a place of celebration and solace. Communication and camaraderie. In recent years that trend has slowly disappeared. At Midhurst’s The Wheatsheaf, the new owners and management team are working to bring it back. Good …

Wow! Which? Trusted Traders of The Year! Such an incredible honour and I’m so proud of the company we’ve created. When I left school at 16, I could never have imagined accepting an award from Which? Who I believe are the top review platform in the country. After leaving Merrist …

Local Funeral Directors, Monumental Craftsmen and Repatriation Specialists W A Truelove & Son Ltd have recently announced that they have opened a new branch in Ashtead, Surrey. The Ashtead branch is their nineteenth branch and will join Truelove’s 15 branches in Banstead, Caterham, Cheam, Coulsdon, Dorking, Epsom, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Mitcham, …

The Nomad Theatre has been named the winner of the Best Amateur Theatre Company in the 2019 Essential Surrey Awards, “designed to celebrate the best our county has to offer”.  Essential Surrey has named the 2019 award winners online (www.essentialsurrey.co.uk/essential-surrey-awards/essential-surrey-awards-the-winners/) and in their July editions of The Guildford Magazine, the …

Kissed By Betty. A couple of months ago I met Georgie, this meeting was going to be a rather special encounter.   Georgie was coming in to chat about the Cancer Research Relay that was taking place over the summer, and we chatted about why the cause was so important …

Hardassnails was true to it’s name and another great race by AAT Events https://aat-events.com/. A testing undulating trail course, starting at The Chantries and weaving though the beautiful Surrey Hills around the foot of Newlands Corner and back up St Martha’s to return. There were 5, 10 or 15k routes …

On a beautiful summer evening on 8 July, teams from many local law firms (all recognizable by their individual team t-shirts), together with members of the judiciary and voluntary services like the Citizens Advice Bureau, their children and dogs, all gathered outside the Guildford County Court ready to walk or …

The Girl on the Train was a 2015 novel by Paula Hawkins which soon became a publishing sensation, with over a million sales in its first few weeks, and still holds the record for the most weeks at number one in the UK hardback book chart (20 weeks). It went …

Please click logo below for the official Godalming Staycation 2019 programme…

The details have been agreed for the hottest UK Chilli challenge ever – a face-off between top US chilli King Johnny Scoville renowned for chasing the heat by munching his way through the hottest chillies and chilli products he can find and our very own UK Chilli Queen, Shahina Waseem. …

Enjoy all the fun of the seaside this August as Guildford-on-Sea returns to the banks of the River Wey. Located next to The Electric Theatre, Onslow Street, Guildford’s urban beach is free to enter and open daily from 10am to 6pm 8 to 10 August 2019. Organised by Experience Guildford …

Julie West Solicitor is delighted to be walking in the 2019 Guildford Legal Walk on 8th July to raise funds for free legal advice in Surrey. Surrey has been recognised as a legal aid desert for all social welfare law where poor and vulnerable people have great difficulty gaining help with …

  The East Surrey Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) would like to thank everyone who so generously supported their collection outside the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Dorking on Saturday 29th June 2019. Altogether a total of £282.51 was collected, which will help the Branch continue its vital services to …

We spoke to The Barricade Boys who perform on G Live Main Stage, as part of Guildford Fringe Festival, on 26 July at 8pm. Visit for tickets and dates: guildfordfringefestival.com/sessions/the-barricade-boys-stars-of-les-miserables/ You will be rounding up this year’s Festival with a show-stopping performance on G Live’s Main Stage – how are …

  The RHS Back to Nature Garden, co-designed by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and Landscape Architects Andree Davies and Adam White, for this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (1-7 July) has been unveiled today at the festivals press preview. The Garden continues to encourage families and communities to engage with nature and spend time in …

Congratulations to Abi Moran, Quinn Kyle, Alice Johnstone, Tatianna Batovska, Amélie Howe, Holly Hurst and Finlay Hurst, the winners of this year’s Friends of Dorking ‘Dorkers Easter Egg Hunt’ held around the town during the recent school Easter holidays. Throughout the two-week holiday period, children and families were encouraged to …

GoApe, Alice Holt. Hurray the sun is finally starting to appear! I was going to make the most of it. Having partaken in GoApe last year I knew I was in for a treat. My housemates had not done it for years, so I made the executive decision that Saturday …

Handpicked for Clandon Wood. This weekend I popped along to Clandon Wood to show my support to Handpicked for Dorking as well as the exhibitors that were there. As we parked up I could hear Chris and Will from ‘Forget the DJ‘ who were playing some great music which added …

Don’t take our word about how good VantagePoint can be for your business, read what our advertisers and readers have to say! I have been advertising in Vantage Point for a few months now and I have seen great results. The team are always really friendly. Highly recommend. Matt Harle, …

June 2019 – The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, Midhurst is now offering forest bathing experiences with Swedish teacher Helena Skoog, who was born and raised in the forests of Sweden and has spent the past four years off-grid in ancient forestry in Sussex. For those not familiar with the …

dLo Hairdressing. On August 8th 2016, David and Amy Lopez, the dynamic duo, husband and wife team, opened the doors of their very own salon, dLo Hairdressing. Since then the salon has gone from strength to strength. I have been to dLo a number of times now, every time I …

The National Trust’s Polesden Lacey was the weekend party house of Edwardian socialite Dame Margaret Greville. As with the house, the gardens at Polesden Lacey were designed to impress. In summer, the walled Edwardian rose garden is home to around 2000 fragrant roses and the double Herbaceous Borders are a …

As the end of the school year approaches, many parents will be wondering if their children’s education is on the right path. Might they be happier and do better with home schooling? It’s an enormous step to take, but former primary school teacher Catherine Lynch of PlanBee knows the advantages …

Just before the outbreak of war in 1939, the National Council of Social Service introduced a network of national agencies to help citizens deal with any problems they might encounter. This was the network that became the Citizens Advice Bureau. Waverley area was in the vanguard, with the Haslemere bureau, …

Not every decision we make is necessarily life changing and not every choice is the dividing factor between life and death. Ex Royal Marine Commando and experienced cave diver Martin Robson was faced with this herculean decision 75 feet below the surface in a Russian lake, paralysed from the waist …

Let the Summer Be-GIN at The Gin Kitchen’s Gin, Beer and Cocktail Festival! Dorking’s Gin Kitchen has announced that tickets are now on sale for their summer Gin, Beer and Cocktail festival. Set in the beautiful Surrey Hills, The Gin Kitchen is delighted to offer a colourful spectacular of artisan …

On Thursday 13th June 2019, around two dozen members of Dorking Business Breakfast Group attended a special ‘awayday’ breakfast meeting at Hartfield House Care Home in Hartfield Road, Leatherhead. Located on a quiet, leafy road in Leatherhead, Hartfield House, one of Dorking Business Breakfast Group’s newer members, is Porthaven Care …

The East Surrey Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) would like to thank everyone who so generously supported their collection at the Asda store in Burgh Heath on Saturday 15th June 2019. Altogether a total of £506.44 was collected, which will help the Branch continue its vital services …

We are seeking 21 Champions (can be individuals, families, groups or businesses) to sign up to raise (or donate) £1,000 (or more if they would like to). All the proceeds from this campaign will be used to help children and young people who have Down syndrome reach their full potential. …

Annum Salman, a Pakistani poet, published her debut poetry anthology in January 2019 with AuthorhouseUK. Her poetry book Sense Me revolves around the theme of identity, expanding into topics of mental health, gender, love, culture, and race. On the 16th of May, Annum celebrated the UK launch of the book …

The Guildford Fringe Festival. Way before I worked for VantagePoint magazine I knew of Nick Wyschna. He was a one man band with a dream, the dream was to expose all of the talent we have nestled in and around Guildford. Over the past few years Guildford Fringe Festival has …

Farnham Roller Hockey Club hosted a Beginner’s Day at Farnham Leisure Centre for juniors in their first season of roller hockey.   Seven teams of U13 and U11 players took part in a training session and then a series of matches as an introduction to the basics of match play. The …

Last year St Catherine’s Hospice launched its Full Circle Appeal. An ambitious appeal to make sure that nobody in the local community has to face death and loss alone. This included raising £5 million to build a larger hospice at Pease Pottage. Thanks to the amazing generosity of local people, …

Dogs for Autism  YOU CAN HELP US HELP THEM   As you all know I always have a great time when I visit The Walled Garden, but when I went down yesterday I was greeted with PUPPIES…and yes I mean plural! The walled garden closed their doors to the public …

Guildford Town Guides, a group of volunteers from Guildford  have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The Guildford Town Guides have taken thousands of residents and visitors on a journey back over 1000 years to learn …

On Tuesday 28th May 2019, Ben Smith visited the Borough Hall in Godalming as part of a new national talk tour he is undertaking ahead of his latest challenge in 2020 when he will be heading to the United States. Back in 2015/16 Ben Smith ran 401 marathons in 401 …

Charles Christianson Orangeries With the uncertainty of the current housing market and homeowners increasingly adding space to their existing properties in favour of moving, The Orangery has never been so popular. An Orangery is such an attractive proposition because like a traditional brick built extension the temperature is easy to …

What: One Great Day at Tunsgate Quarter When: Saturday 1st June, 11am – 3pm Where: Tunsgate Quarter, Guildford Price: Free   On Saturday 1st June, Tunsgate Quarter, Guildford will be joining hundreds of shopping centres across the country by hosting a day of exciting activities for children, raising money for …

  On Wednesday 22nd May 2019, a sell-out audience of over 500 music lovers of all ages attended Leatherhead Rotary Club’s second annual Big Band Concert at Leatherhead Theatre in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Headline act at the event was the amazing BPO …

Soul-pop singer/songwriter Chrissie Huntley has won the opportunity to perform at the internationally renowned Glastonbury Music Festival which celebrates another sell out year and is set to welcome over 175,000 festival goers this June. A star on the rise, the Reigate-born 24-year-old is currently studying at the illustrious BIMM Institute …

Celebrating success at the UK’s most anticipated horticultural event of the year, the Silent Pool Gin Garden wins a prestigious silver-gilt medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s world-famous Chelsea Flower Show 2019, where innovative design and horticultural expertise combine to showcase some of the country’s most exciting and inventive gardening …

The aim of food banks is to support local families in crisis who don’t have enough money to buy food. They are given enough food to feed their family (or themselves if they are single) for approximately 3 days. The reasons why people need to visit food banks include benefit …

Over 1,500. That’s how many manuscript submissions a literary agent recently told me she receives every year. It’s by no means atypical either. Most agents would proffer a similar number while you can probably double it for publishers. As an author, it’s enough to make your blood run cold. Is …

For the past 5 years, Meaby & Co Solicitors (formerly Hart Scales & Hodges) has supported Cancer Research and has been the base for local collectors to meet in order to raise money for this incredible cause. Each year, our members of staff join many local people to help collect …

2019 sees the 40th anniversary of the twinning of Guildford with Freiburg in southwest Germany: cue for celebrations by the Guildford Twinning Association in partnership with Guildford Borough Council. 40 years of a partnership which is still alive and meaningful! As proof of that, an artistic exchange between the two …

In the quiet village of Chiddingfold, there is a charming little tea shop. This tea shop is unlike one I have ever been into before, not only is it one of the most laid-back environments I have ever walked into, it is also a complete hub for locals, business meetings, …

Charterhouse hosts the annual Flight Centre Schools Triathlon for the first time. On Sunday 12 May almost 800 children took part in the triathlon event at Charterhouse School in Godalming, raising £85,000 for Restless Development and other charities. Dr Alex Peterken, Headmaster of Charterhouse, said: “We are delighted to welcome …

On May 1st 2019 I visited The Wheatsheaf for lunch, as soon as I walked in I was amazing at how big the pub was, for being situated in the heart of Farnham and on one of the main streets, from the moment you walked inside off the road, it …

Fearne Cotton recently revealed she’s swapped partying for therapy. The radio presenter who has been open about her battle with depression said, “I don’t go to clubs. I spend any money I would have spent on a therapist every week.” Speaking of her husband musician Jessie Wood, she added, “My …

The team The team at St Catherine’s Hospice are familiar with conversations around end of life. They believe it is important that these discussions are had by both patients and their families to ensure that wishes are fulfilled and loved ones are able to contribute in their own way. Here, …

Leatherhead Rotary Club 10k Bluebell Run Sunday 5th May – Headley Heath, Headley The weather held for the annual Leatherhead Rotary Bluebell 10k run on Sunday 5th May. Although slightly cool it provided ideal running conditions for around 200 runners who turned up. The route is a delightful trail route …

In Place of War – Music for Medellin Donate your unwanted musical instruments and equipment to charity Young people are mentored by artists and learn the four elements of Hip Hop (MCing, break dancing, djing and graffiti) Thursday 6th – Saturday 8th June 2019 The Boileroom, Guildford ‘If it wasn’t …

It’s always a shock to the system going back to work after the Easter break, after a couple of four-day weeks, I think, one must ease themselves back in gently. What better way than to arrange a coffee first thing on a Monday? I met Jason Brett in a coffee …

The Friends of Brooklands School in Reigate would like to thank everyone who so generously supported the recent raffle in aid of the school at Cobbett’s Real Ales in Dorking. Brooklands School is a state-funded special school for children aged between 2 and 11 years with severe or complex learning …

Surrey Day this Saturday 4th May is a great day for Food Float to celebrate its tenth year offering local food to Dorking people! To commemorate, we have invited three producers: •  Honey man Paul Cleaver •  Debbie, Queen of jam and chutney •  Barry from Kingfisher Farm to tell …

Clandon Wood Nature Reserve presents a special Fundraising performance of Bizet’s Carmen in support of The Brigitte Trust Sunday 5th May – Tickets £49 Transforming the beautiful glass Pavillion at Clandon Wood into an intimate in-the-round performance space, Rogue Opera’s cast of six singers and pianist bring you the drama …

Surrey FA will be supporting local charity The Amber Foundation through a dedicated County Cup Final fixture. The Saturday Premier County Cup Final on Wednesday 24th April will be partly staffed by Amber residents, who will also be raising funds for the charity on the night. Supporters can come and …

Over the past few years, we’ve all become more aware of the dangers of our over use of plastic and the damage that this material can do to us, our environment, and to creatures of all shapes and sizes who live in the rivers, oceans, and in the landscape around …

As Spring begins, and thoughts of Winter fade away, the garden once again becomes a place to spend time, rather than just a pleasant view from the kitchen window filled with memories of warmer weather. Now what to do with all that space?  A Playhouse for the children?  A Greenhouse …

Sowing seeds is a wonderfully cost-effective way to garden.  Many hardy annual plants can be grown from seed this month, providing us with a quick and easy way to fill our gardens with beautiful flowers, in a wide range of colours and forms. Many annual plants provide a valuable source …

Blenheim Court is a new luxury care home in Liss lying within the beautiful open countryside of the South Downs National Park offering the highest level of residential, nursing and dementia care. Purpose built and designed around the needs of its residents, the home provides luxurious interior designed accommodation with …

This is a varied walk with one or two steep ascents. It passes through some of the most delightful woodland. It is fine at any time of the year, but especially in the spring because of the lambs and the bluebells. For larger map, please visit www.fancyfreewalks.org.uk. 1. Take the …

On Saturday 23rd March 2019, a sell-out audience of over 500 people filled St Mary’s Church in Horsham to hear over 70 members of the world-famous London Welsh Male Voice Choir perform a very special concert in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. VIP guest at the concert was …

On Thursday 4th April 2019, around two dozen members of Dorking Business Breakfast Group attended the group’s weekly meeting at Betchworth Park Golf Club to hear Catherine Illingworth from BOOM! Credit Union give an excellent presentation about ethical lending. Ms Illingworth explained how BOOM!’s products and services help local people …

Don’t know how to apply for Universal Credit to help with your living and housing costs? Citizens Advice can help you with your initial online claim. Alex* contacted Citizens Advice in distress because she didn’t know how to start making a claim for Universal Credit (UC) and was worried that …

‘GREY COLOURS A FARMHOUSE ATTRACTION’;A PLEASANT GLIMPSE OF OLD ENGLAND This was an unusual heading of an article in the Farnham Herald commenting on a very early exhibition in the 1970s . The young reporter arrived on a bicycle from Farnham completely drenched from head to foot by torrential rain …

Vantage Publishing, publishers of VantagePoint, was set up in 2009 with the sole purpose of producing a brand new free community magazine for the Godalming area. Its founder, Stefan Reynolds, had the idea after being involved in a government sponsored market town appraisal, which had found that there was a …

“History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future.” I was invited to have a tour around The Spike Heritage Centre by John Redpath General Manager of …

There’s something new and very exciting appeared on Farnham Heath Nature Reserve this Spring and it’s caught the attention of the BBC! ‘The House of Invisible Hands’ is a permanent wooden structure constructed out of oak with walls of chestnut coppice by sculptor Walter Bailey. The inspiration for the piece …

Have you discovered #MySurreyHills videos? Here is Jude, a runner. Each month they will introduce you to a new person. What they all have in common is the Surrey Hills and the love they have for the area, something we at VantagePoint share!

The Peach Pub Company, which runs two pubs in Surrey, The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh and The Duke of Wellington in East Horsley, has been named in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies list for the third year running.  Peach was crowned number 48 in the 19th annual edition of …

The Stranger on The Bridge. “As I walked into the middle of the bridge, I was oblivious to the stream of commuters walking past me. And in turn, the commuters were seemingly oblivious to me- the man teetering on the edge. All except for one” Jonny Benjamin MBE On Thursday …

Back when it all began Our first ever session was in East Grinstead at The Jubilee Community Centre on Tuesday 24th February. The centre was packed, and I kept asking people as they arrived if they had come for choir. But no, they had come for pancakes, served by The …

Surrey based entrepreneur, JoAnne Temple, has launched a new and exclusive photography experience which aims to celebrate and empower girls aged 4 – 18 years. The new venture, Frank & Bloom, is a service designed for parents in the Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire area who want to embrace their daughter’s …

A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL VINEYARDS OFFERING OUTSTANDING WINES, BEAUTIFUL VIEWS AND A WARM WELCOME. A new collaboration of five multi-award winning vineyards have announced a special launch weekend on 8th 9th June 2019, to celebrate the formation of a new English wine region – ‘Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’. This collection …

As a member of the Surrey Hills Enterprises I was delighted to have had the opportunity to attend the very first awards event at the Barnett Hill Hotel in Wonersh on Wednesday 27th February. It was not only a chance to see a newly developed and refurbished local hotel first …

Albury Estate Spring Event with pop up pizza from Wood Fired Larder managed to dodge the week-end rain on Saturday.  A great selection of pizzas were available and I sampled the Mediterranean vegetable pizza which was delicious…vegan and the all day breakfast pizzas were also poplar choices! The Wood Fired …

Maxine has recently introduced the Open House network to the areas of Petworth, Farnham, and Godalming  bringing you a dedicated, competitive, affordable, and personal service from beginning to end. With experience as a lettings assistant and property inspector Maxine has a passion for property,  personal experience of buying and renovating …

As you will know from last month, I just adore growing fruit and vegetables. Any form of edible gardening is a soul-enriching experience, which I would encourage you to try. Last year, I ran a tomato trial, to discover delicious, productive, and reliable tomato varieties. My tomato seeds were sown …

Like or loathe winter, it’s a time of year that can cause difficulties for us all. Sadly our pets can encounter problems so we need to be more vigilant at this time. Below are a few guidelines. Outside When you are walking your dog ensure you avoid any areas that …

Charlotteville was a small village immediately adjoined to Guildford and is claimed to have been the town’s first suburb.  With all the shops now closed and with the pubs disappearing, the identity of The Village as it was known has largely disappeared. In the late 1960s the community centre (also …

Dog Holiday Entrepreneur Trisha Tattersall Launches Barking Mad Search for A New Business Owner ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN CAREER AND LOVE DOGS? Farnham (and surrounding area), leading dog care provider, Barking Mad is now offered for sale. Circa. £38k The successful applicant will be offered a dream …

Lisa was kind enough to invite the VantagePoint team to come along to one of her corporate group classes, for those of you who know us, the term flexible might not automatically spring to mind. But we were determined to give it a go! In a world that is so fast paced …

Spring has sprung in Hampshire and as everyone looks ahead to an exciting new season, the team at https://www.fourseasons.com/hampshire/ is delighted to announce the return of its famous Wild Carrot Seasonal Socials. Presenting a dining event with a difference, the Wild Carrot team of food and drink experts takes guests on …

It was with great excitement we announced the opening of our new Guildford Office at the beginning of January.   When we first established Watson Thomas in 2013, we could only hope that others would share in our vision of a modern family law firm, which strives to offer a clear …

Phil Kemp visits two providers of care for seniors and meets those committed to their well-being. When I was invited to visit two residential care homes over the Christmas period, I must be honest and confess that I had mixed feelings, given that I have had family and friends in …

It’s worth saying that I am impressed by the range and number of local articles you include in VantagePoint. That aspect of the magazine appears to be growing, which is good. Makes it all the more worthwhile to receive … and read. Steve Garnsey, a reader

I can hear you mutter ‘’all walking is healthy, what is so special about this one?’’ Walking for Health is about organised and risk-assessed short community group walks. It is the name given by Dr William Bird (MBE), who started the first health walks in the early 90s. He felt …

Art is French play by Yasmina Reza which premiered in Paris in 1994. The UK rights were acquired by Sean Connery who commissioned Christopher Hampton to do an English translation and it arrived in the West End in 1996 with Sir Tom Courtenay, Ken Stott and the late Albert Finney. …

It has become a way of life now. We spend hours a day scrolling through social media and looking at the most amazing destinations in the world. Looking longingly at these images and thinking, how amazing it would be to go and visit them and experience the beauty in person. …

1. With Busbridge Church on your left, set off along Hambledon Road up a gentle gradient until the road becomes blocked. Cross over Home Farm Road and continue along Hambledon Road. After about 100 metres, the gradient turns downhill and you enter a natural gulley with steep sides. After a …

An undulating walk from Ranmore Common in the Surrey Hills, through part of the National Trust estate of Polesden Lacey. From the walk there are good views of the Mole Gap, London, and on a clear day, the South Downs. Please note that there is admission fee if you wish …

This book on Haslemere, using material prepared by a number of local people tasked with producing the town’s Design Statement, has been put together by Fay Foster. After extensive research she has written much additional content bringing the history up to date.  The aim has been to paint a picture …

I’ve been meaning to message for ages! We’ve had the most amazing response thanks to your articles about us in Vantage Point. Lots and lots of new customers. Thank you so much for helping us spread the word in such a wonderfully put publication. Very best wishes, Annabel from Keep, 18 Downing Street, …

We’ve had fantastic feedback on our recent blog in Vantage Point Magazine about our open day in Leatherhead. https://www.vantagepointmag.co.uk/what-did-you-do-today-that-made-a-difference/  I just wanted to thank you! Kind regards, Caroline – See Ability

The Godalming Music Festival began in 1947 as a competition for choirs. Piano classes were added in 1962, with stringed and wind instruments in 1966. 1968 saw further growth with the addition of speech and solo singing. An organ competition was instituted in 1977 and dance introduced in 1991. Whilst …

Annum Salman, a Pakistani spoken word poet and author of her debut poetry book “Sense Me,” recently released a spoken word video titled “Anna.” The four minute video combines her poignant words with the contemporary dance of Vasnica Srishinkar, who is a dance student at the University of Surrey. The …

“Your ears might have been burning on Saturday when we showed ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society’ because we had so many new people who had seen our advert in VantagePoint and an audience of 72, so thank you very much indeed. ” Jane, Fernhurst Films  

        http://theguildfordspice.com The VantagePoint team ventured out for a press lunch to celebrate another month done and all five magazines complied and off to the printers. This time we were off to The Guildford Spice for a nice warming curry, on what can only be described as a …

Patrick McIntosh isn’t a man afraid of a challenge! Not content with trekking to the South Pole or beating cancer three times, Patrick is taking on his next challenge – his Lifecycle. And supporting his local hospice, St Catherine’s Hospice, in the process. Patrick is attempting to cycle around the …

Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lady Vanishes arrived in great style last night at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, with a fabulous cast led by Juliet Mills and her husband Maxwell Caulfield. The play begins in an Austrian railway station, the German eagle and swastikas flying overhead. The train heading to Zurich …

Most people hope that their estate will pass on to their children and grandchildren eventually. But this will not happen for many, unless careful arrangements have been made to protect their assets from being taken towards the end of their life to pay for care home fees. The solution to …

In the dead of winter, myself and my boyfriend were invited to an event put on by Amanda, from Sage and Season. We pulled into a country lane and weaved down and down until we arrived at what looked like a school, gymnasium from the outside. Not too sure what …

SeeAbility are looking for extraordinary people.  We already have some working for us and we need more!  Come and join us for coffee and cake and meet the team at our open day on 8 February at the Millenium Centre in Leatherhead… Here at SeeAbility we put the people we …

Godalming boasts a vibrant community of independent outlets, providing an exciting opportunity to explore all manner of arts and crafts, and also find all of the essentials you need to be creative at home. This beautiful corner of West Surrey has always attracted artists, and a new initiative started by …

Happy New Year! There’s a high chance, as you read this, that two things have happened over the last month or more. 1 – You’ve enjoyed Christmas (in reality it was most of December!) and are feeling the effects of too much alcohol, sugar and carbohydrate rich foods? 2 – …

The black cab is a world-famous London icon: convenient, functional, and a common sight on London’s roads. Unfortunately, though, their diesel engines are a major source of pollution. That’s why London’s Mayor announced that from 1st January 2018 all new taxis must be diesel-free and able to run entirely on …

So it is January and you have no money and need to limit your calorie intake after Christmas. Try these cheap but tasty ideas, all using our favourite vegetable, the humble potato! Recipes taken from http://www.lovepotatoes.co.uk. North African Spiced Baked Eggs with Potato Ingredients: 2 large pre-boiled fluffy potatoes (such as …

Our walk is taken with kind permission from the Ramblers. It is a circular route in the Surrey Hills AONB which passes sleepy Surrey mill hamlets and ‘hammer’ ponds and climbs to a 360-degree view from Leith Hill Tower. It follows wide, well maintained bridleways to Friday Street, then along …

David Fuller Menswear is based in Church Road, Great Bookham in Surrey, within easy reach of Guildford, Epsom, Dorking and Croydon. After 53 years’ time, retirement is drawing near and with no one to take on the shop, David Fuller is having a retirement sale. David Fuller has been primarily …

Tucked away in Downing Street in Farnham are two relatively new businesses each dedicated to providing the opportunity for all of us to make our own contribution to help not only improve the environment and reduce waste – but also to lead healthier lives. Okomoko is a welcoming little café …

Back in November, VantagePoint’s Jesse Boon visited Mark Hargreaves at the home in Warren Road, Guildford where Pewley Down Vineyard is located.  The vineyard is not widely known, as it is much smaller and not nearly as heavily-promoted as many of the larger ones in Surrey. Having retired after working …

This is an easy walk to get the new year started, only 5 miles and completely flat. It is also very charming, with some lovely, far-reaching views of the local countryside. At its beginning and end, it has the lovely village of Crondall to explore, with its Anglo-Saxon roots and …

We have just received this lovely email from this month’s Crondall walk, which will appear online tomorrow and which Humph enjoyed doing before Christmas! Dear Stefan Just to let you know that we did the Crondall walk today, and how much we enjoyed it.  It was just the right length, …

On 3rd January 2019, VantagePoint’s Jesse Boon went along to one of Malgosia Underwood’s Pilates classes in Dorking.  Jesse has attended numerous classes with different instructors over the years, and was impressed by the level of support Malgosia provided and knowledge demonstrated during the class.   In 2007 Malgosia Underwood …

Heralded as one of the first of its kind in the UK, the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden continues to exhibit contemporary sculptures in a truly magical environment. The story started thirty five years ago, when landscape designer Anthony and his wife Hannah bought some land in Surrey. Having grown up …

Abbot’s Hospital wins National Lottery support Abbot’s hospital will be 400 years old in 2019. As we prepare for this big year we are excited to announce that we have received a National Lottery grant of £92,000 for our project, “400 years of Abbot’s Hospital: A year of celebration”, in Guildford, …

https://www.neomorganics.com/wellbeing-blog/guildford/     New Neom Neighbours- Last Wednesday I was invited to the opening of the new Neom Organics shop in Guildford. This is not my first encounter with Neom Organics, as a lady who suffers with sleep deprivation, I have tried a number of things, from lavender oil on …

https://www.britanniaguildford.co.uk/ The Britannia, Guildford.  There is nothing more comforting than walking into a cosy traditional pub in the winter. Stepping out from the cold into a warm, dimly lit pub, with the smell of mulled wine in the air and the sound of general chatter filling the air. On Friday …

  At a recent editorial meeting, it was our Lauren who came up with the idea of tasting various smoked salmon in the December issue and give our verdict to readers. As you can imagine, we all warmly embraced the idea. I researched the contact details for all the major …

 For more information Call Amy Brown on 07825 613 969 Local Balloon Professional Earns Recognition as Certified Balloon Artist   Amy Brown of AJ’s Balloon Decor in Thursley, Surrey recently earned Certified Balloon Artist (CBA®) status. This required a series of tests, including oral and practical examinations. The certification was …

Here is another Downland walk that you will remember for its beauty and originality. A Norman church, a secret orchid hillside and a Bronze-Age burial site are among the surprises, along with two excellent country pubs, both of which the Editor can recommend! The views from Linch Down are particularly …

There’s something quite magical about a secret garden, writes Beth Otway. Did you know that Farnham has its own secret garden hidden away in the town centre? If you venture towards the back of Sainsbury’s car park in South Street, you’ll have the chance to discover the Victoria Garden for …

On Saturday 17th November the Milford Pumas girls teams had a surprise visit from England and Chelsea Women’s whilst training at Rodborough School. Milford Pumas has a growing girls section of the club and now up to over 80 players from U7-U14.  Carly was really excited to see the number of girls playing …

Aromatic beef with orange and apricots Ingredients: 450g/1lb lean braising or topside steak, cubed, 5ml/1tsp fennel seeds, 5ml/1tsp ground coriander, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped, 2 small onions, peeled and sliced, 2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped, 50g/2oz dried apricots, chopped, 50ml/2floz orange juice, …

This walk takes you through woods and fields from Puttenham Common top car park to The Sands and, optionally, Charles Hill and back through the small hamlet of Gatwick. This walk has a few options within it which are described in the text and shown on the map below. The …

Zoe Blake takes a look at a common problem in house pets It’s that time of year many pet owners fear, as the weather turns colder, the heating comes on, and the fleas appear. Did you know that the fleas on your pet represent only about 5% of the flea …

Andy Thompson commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI ‘The War That Will End War’ wrote the famous Surrey-based writer HG Wells in October 1914 as he reflected on the opening weeks of what was to become known as the Great War. The chiming bells at 11 o’clock …

Jo Butler from Physio 1to1 on the benefits of keeping active ‘Health is wealth’ is a saying we don’t use enough in daily life. Unfortunately ‘Time is money’ tends to get quoted far more often. We live in a wealth-focussed landscape but it is really our health that will ultimately …

This interesting walk takes you through woods and fields, up and down hills and offers some splendid views. It was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk) Turn left along the road and walk about 300 yards to find a tunnel, on the right, under the A3. You will need …

Last Friday 12th October, I was invited along to the Georgian Hotel’s first Spanish Tapas and Wine evening, and a fun evening was had by all. On arrival, we had an opportunity to try four Spanish wines brought along by the local wine merchant, the Haslemere Cellar whilst listening to …

We are very pleased to be able to announce that VantagePoint has been awarded the Trade Mark Surrey Hills in recognition for the support we have and continue to give to the Surrey Hills AONB family. We have supported the Surrey Hills since 2009 when we first started publishing our …

Merrist Wood Golf Course is deemed one of Surrey’s longest golf courses measuring just under 7,000 yards. When played from the back tees the golf course offers a stern challenge for the most accomplished of golfers. The forward tees also provide an excellent test for the less proficient player. Jesse …

When word got out in the VantagePoint office that I was planning a trip to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to see Vulcan 7, my colleagues Lauren and Claire immediately expressed their eagerness to join me, and so the evening became somewhat of a team outing. Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer …

I  try and avoid superlatives most of the time, but occasionally they are necessary. Our meal at the Japanese Grill at the Beaverbrook near Leatherhead warrants quite a few. Before I start with the plaudits, I must kick off by admitting that this is an expensive restaurant. We are possibly …

Phil Kemp meets Bill Biddell for a tour of the estate’s hop garden and oast The Hampton Estate at Seale near Farnham has been growing hops for hundreds of years and are the last commercial growers in Surrey. They specialise in Fuggle hops for beer production which are revered and …

South of East Horsley there is a large hilly forested area criss-crossed by paths many of which are known only to locals. Hidden in the woods are many surprises, especially the stone bridges built in the 1800s by the Earl of Lovelace to transport his timber wagons. This walk visits …

  Apple Tarte Tatin Serves 2-3 Ingredients: 3 – 4 Pink Lady apples, 100g unsalted butter, 100g caster sugar, ¼ vanilla pod, a pinch of ground cinnamon, 2 sheets puff pastry, egg wash to brush. Method: 1. Place soft butter in smaller sauce pot and spread evenly on bottom. 2. …

Late summer is a lovely time to visit the seaside, as long as you are away from the crowds. This is a 5 mile circular walk with some of the best panoramic views of the harbour at Chichester. There is always something to watch on the water, whether it is …

There will not be many foodies out there who will not have heard of The Ivy restaurant. It has been a staple on the capital’s dining scene, much-loved by actors, celebrities and those from the arts. First opened in 1917, it has occupied its landmark building in London’s West End …

The Community Foundation model is a global, philanthropic movement operating in over 1,800 communities worldwide. In the UK, there are 46 Community Foundations. At the heart of the concept is the simple theme of ‘local giving for local need’. Laura Thurlow, Chief Executive at the Community Foundation for Surrey, explains …

Heritage Open Days, England’s largest cultural festival, takes place in September. The programme of events for Mole Valley has been published online and in booklet form with over 70 events organised throughout the district, all of them free to visitors. There is a special emphasis on telling the stories of …

Join in and celebrate Guildford’s architecture and culture for free during Heritage Open Days on 13th-16th September. Over 90 events and activities will be available in the borough during the four-day event with properties opening their doors to visitors. The event provides a rare opportunity to explore some of Guildford’s …

It’s Heritage Open Days time again! Farnham will once again be celebrating this increasingly popular occasion, inviting visitors to come and explore the town’s best buildings and beautiful green spaces, and the good news is that all visits are free! All the details with essential information about booking, are in …

Phil Kemp meets artisan cheesemakers Pam and Francis Gimblett Operating from a well-equipped micro-dairy in the Surrey Hills near Haslemere, Pam and Francis Gimblett produce a fragrant soft washed-rind cheese they endearingly call Floyd, to their own unique recipe developed through sheer hard work and undoubtedly mixed with an intuitive …

Sindy Hammond from The Party Company offers some general advice Every child is different and has certain views on their perfect party. My 4 year old wanted a mermaid/unicorn/shimmer and shine party for all of her friends, so we compromised on the theme and thankfully not all her friends were …

Volvo, it seems, are on a roll. Once beloved only of a small yet discerning band of folk, these days they are a company who are regularly in the news. Whether declaring their latest outstanding safety record (nobody has lost their life in a car-to-car accident in an XC90 – …

This interesting classic walk takes you through woods and fields and through Petworth Park and back. Lots of views. Enjoy a picnic in the park unless you are an NT member and can go to the café by the house. The walk was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk). …

At last some good news for Haslemere’s frustrated banking customers!!  Barclays, HSBC and now Nat West have deserted Haslemere but thanks to the Haslewey Post Office there is now a new way to do your personal banking.  Conveniently located in the heart of Weyhill with free parking, the new Post …

As my car rumbled down the road, the Surrey Hills dominated the skyline in front of me. I still find it hard to believe that I am an hour outside of London. Don’t get me wrong, I have been a Guildford girl half my life but the contrast in scenery …

This is a calming walk through quiet green meadows and woodland, with one or two surprises, especially the church at the tiny village of Itchingfield. This walk is taken with permission from www.fancyfreewalks.org. 1. Directly opposite the pub, take a narrow path signposted as a bridleway. In 200m or so, …

On Friday 1st June a couple of the VantagePoint team went for lunch at the Giggling Squid in Guildford.  It was a sunny afternoon, so we decided to sit at a table outside by the cobbles of Chapel Street, which was reminiscent of eating outside a restaurant on holiday in …

I must confess that although I’ve personally never taken a particularly active interest in cricket I was genuinely bowled over by what I was to experience during my visit to The Oval Cricket Ground. I’d seen images of The Oval of course on television, but to experience for the first …