kingston-upon-thames Postcodes

It is easy to think of Surrey as simply a rich suburb of London for wealthy commuters to spend their bonuses. But that would be to ignore some of the magnificent landscapes and important historical sites that lie at the heart of Surrey.

The Surrey Hills, for example, are quite beautiful and have been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty whose lush valleys have inspired musicians, writers and artists for hundreds of years. Dotted around the hills are numerous charming and historic market towns with bustling markets and shops and a wealth of old English heritage.

From Runnymede Meadow in Egham and the Magna Carta Memorial (where King John met up with the 25 barons and signed possibly the most famous document in history) to the gorgeous county town of Farnham with some of southern England's finest Georgian architecture and a castle dating back to the 12th century, to Dorking, birthplace of composer Vaughn Williams and hundreds of other villages and towns, there are plenty of picturesque historic spots across Surrey. Most famous of all is Hampton Court Palace, built for Cardinal Wolsey by Henry VIII in 1514 and one of the most famous buildings in all of England. Similarly, the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens (the world's leading botanic gardens) are also impossible to avoid and one of the UK's most recognizable attractions.

Getting out and about there are famous sporting arenas such as the Oval for the cricket or Epsom for the racing. And for walkers and ramblers, bikers and hikers there are the Greensand Hills and the epic chalk hills of the North Downs Way and something approaching 6,500 acres of countryside to explore, including trails that run along the rivers Wey, Thames and Mole.

Lastly, for daytime entertainment of a different kind there is Chessington World of Adventures and for laid back nightlife there are the numerous bars and clubs of Guildford.