Eight Things To Do With Your Elderly Parents In Surrey

Brooklands Museum

Brooklands Museum is described as ‘the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation’, and the museum’s classic cars, motorbikes and planes are sure to stir up a sense of nostalgia for some members of the older generation. Brooklands played a key role in both the First and Second World Wars, so if your loved ones are interested in military history or wartime life in general, they’ll be interested in the exhibits on display here.

Disabled parking and wheelchair hire are available, and if your loved one is receiving companion care and has brought their live-in care assistant with them, they will be admitted free of charge.

Ripley Farmers’ Market

Spend a peaceful morning sampling local food, produce and crafts at Ripley Farmers’ Market. With a range of stalls selling everything from locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables to artisan bread and cakes or antique tools and jewellery, you won’t go away empty-handed. Keep an eye out for some of the special events which run throughout the year, or enjoy one of the regular cooking demonstrations while you’re here.

RHS Wisley

With one of the world’s largest plant collections, the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley are a beautiful place to spend time with your older parents. Whether they’re green-fingered or only have a passing interest in horticulture, they’ll enjoy a gentle stroll through the grounds when the weather is nice, keep a look out for all the different species growing here.

There’s a wheelchair route throughout the gardens, and 26 manual wheelchairs and three mobility scooters for hire. If your elderly parents receive care at home, either from you or a live-in care assistant, one carer is admitted for free for wheelchair users or those with other disabilities.

The Sculpture Park

The Sculpture Park is in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is an ideal spot for getting out into the fresh air if the weather is nice. With 800 sculptures on display and lovely water gardens to take in, this is a truly unique attraction.

Although some parts of the standard route around the park include stairs, there is a wheelchair-accessible path around the lakes and grasslands, which takes in some of the sculptures on display. Bear in mind that there are no cafés for refreshments, but there are picnic tables and disabled toilets on site.

Denbies Wine Estate

If you fancy sampling some delicious local produce, Denbies Wine Estate, near Dorking, is the perfect destination. There are fantastic views over the rolling Surrey countryside and, of course, award-winning wines to sample, as well as tours and a full calendar of special events. The Conservatory Restaurant has received rave reviews and offers a range of British classics throughout the day.

Disabled parking and drop-down kerbs make wheelchair access easier. The shop and both restaurants are easy to access by wheelchair, and the tables are arranged for the comfort of wheelchair users. Outside, the terrain is mostly flat and easy to navigate.

British Wildlife Centre

The British Wildlife Centre is a perfect place to take an older loved one if they feel they want to reconnect with the “Great Outdoors”. With 40 different native British species, it’s the ideal destination for wildlife spotting or birdwatching.

If your loved one has a carer, they’re admitted free of charge. The centre is also accessible by wheelchair.

Guildford Castle

Guildford Castle boasts some of the most magnificent grounds and gardens in the county, as well as the ruins of this Medieval fortress.

While access to the upper levels is via steep steps which may make it off-limits to those with mobility issues, the entrance to the ground floor is level, and talks and activities involving some of the castle’s artefact collection can be arranged.

However long you’re visiting Surrey for, there are plenty of fantastic attractions to fill your time. This is one of England’s prettiest counties, and it’s the perfect place to spend some valuable family time with your elderly parents.