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Good morning, Surrey! Simon here. This is Inspired Surrey, did you know this is just a regular email? If you ever want to reach us, respond just like any other email. There’s a real human on the other side. 👋

How is it only 1 month and 1 day until Christmas day!?

In today’s Inspired Surrey:

• The Popular Etsy Market is Back ✨

• Festive Gin Tour 🍸

• The World-Famous Monday Wordle 🧠

• What’s on Guide for this week 📅

Let’s get to it.

Etsy Guildford Christmas Market at Guildford Cathedral – Saturday 29 November 🎄✨

If you're looking to do your Christmas shopping without the stress (or the queues), Etsy Guildford’s Christmas Market at Guildford Cathedral is well worth a visit. It’s happening on Saturday 29th November, from 10am to 4pm, and entry — plus parking — is completely free.

Expect over 50 stalls packed with handmade gifts from talented local artisans and makers. From jewellery and ceramics to festive decorations, prints, and treats, it’s a great chance to buy something unique and support small businesses at the same time.

🎶 The Godalming & Guildford Jazz Choir will be performing live on the day to add some festive cheer, and the on-site café will be open if you fancy a hot drink or bite to eat while you browse.

📍 Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, GU2 7UP
🕙 Saturday 29 November, 10am–4pm
🎟️ Free entry and free parking

Donations are welcome on the day to support the ongoing charity work of Guildford Cathedral, so bring some change if you’d like to contribute.

Please note: only assistance dogs are allowed inside the venue.

Whether you’re shopping for thoughtful gifts or just want a festive day out in a beautiful setting, this market is a lovely one to pop into.

You can find more information here.

@InspiredSurrey 📸

📸 @surrey_snaps | 📍 Winterfold Hill Viewpoint, Surrey Hills

Tag @InspiredSurrey to get your photos included!

Festive Gin Tour at Silent Pool – Sip, Learn & Get in the Christmas Spirit 🍸🎄

If your idea of a good December afternoon includes gin, history, and a cosy winter vibe, Silent Pool Distillers have just the thing. Their Festive Distillery Tour runs throughout December, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how their award-winning gin is made — all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Surrey Hills.

Here’s what to expect:

• 🔥 You’re welcomed with a Silent Pool Hot Toddy

• 🧪 You’ll learn the story behind the distillery, how it came to be, and why it’s based next to the ancient Silent Pool

• 🛠️ See the copper stills up close and find out how their unique 4-stage distillation process works

• 🌿 Get hands-on with the botanicals and smell your way through what makes their gin so distinct

• 🍸 Enjoy multiple tasters of their gins throughout the 90-minute experience

It’s educational, but not in a boring way — more in a “this is fascinating and also I’m tasting gin” kind of way. Plus, you’ll get £5 off in the distillery shop when you spend £40 or more, which is ideal for picking up gifts (or stocking your own cabinet).

🎟 Tickets are £25 per person and tours must be booked in advance. It’s for over 18s only, and they do ID anyone who looks under 25.

📍 Silent Pool Distillery, Albury, GU5 9BW
🚗 Free parking is available, but they do recommend using public transport or taxis from Guildford Station
🕰️ Tours last 90 minutes and run on selected dates throughout December

Bonus tip: The nearby Festive Fayre is also running inside Hampton Court Palace on select dates in December, so if you’re planning a festive weekend, you can double up.

👉 Book or grab a gift e-voucher: silentpooldistillers.com

The Monday Wordle: Episode 42 🧠

It’s Monday, so you know what that means, Wordle time!

Click here to play.

Last weeks answer: skate

We Are Now On Instagram 📸 

If you are on Instagram, please follow @inspiredsurrey if you can. It would be much appreciated. The account was only started recently, so we still barely have any friends/followers, I’d very much appreciate a follow!

Thank you so much to everyone who followed us! You’re the best! 😊

The Digest 🗞️😀

Godstone may still be dealing with a giant sinkhole that’s kept part of its high street closed since February, but local businesses aren’t letting it steal their Christmas spirit. Shops like Godstone Emporium and Godstone Farm say they’re feeling hopeful ahead of the weekend’s festive events, with strong bookings and loyal locals still finding their way around the diversions. While the repairs now look set to continue into March 2026, the message is clear: the road might be closed, but Christmas is still very much open. 🎄🚧

A fresh proposal for up to 300 new homes along St Peter's Way in Runnymede has been unveiled by Re-Creo Developments. The plans include affordable housing, a GP surgery, early years nursery, community hub, and even nature walks through newly opened-up farmland. A previous application was rejected back in 2018, but the developer hopes to submit a new outline planning application by the end of the year. I’m not sure how I feel about even more new homes being built, the traffic already feels out of control! 🏡🌿

Tens of thousands of drivers zip through Hindhead Tunnel daily — but behind the scenes, it’s Debbie Wood and her daughter Jordan Cummings helping keep it all running smoothly. This high-vis-wearing duo from Horndean are part of the small but mighty team maintaining one of the UK’s busiest and most high-tech road tunnels. From car fires to tech upgrades, no two days are the same, but for Jordan and Debbie, who’ve practically grown up around tunnels, it’s more than just a job — it’s a second home. 🛠️🚦

What’s On This Week 📅

East Surrey

🎅 Soper Hall Christmas Fair 2025
The Soper Hall, Caterham, Saturday 29th, 10:00am | More info

🍁 Christmas Wreath Making
British Legion, Oxted, Wednesday 26th, 7:30pm | More info

🎷 Christmas Concert by Epsom Symphony Orchestra
Epsom Playhouse, Epsom, Sunday 30th, 3:00pm | More info

👨‍🎨 The Secret Painter by Joe Tucker
The Horton, Epsom, Friday 28th, 12:00pm | More info

🍵 Sip & Ceramic - Christmas Workshop
Stoneleigh Broadway, Epsom, Thursday 27th, 7:00pm | More info

🧶 Festive Makers Fair
Epsom Methodist Church, Epsom, Saturday 29th, 10:00am | More info

🎵 Spin Sounds Black Friday Record Event
Spin Sounds, Dorking, Friday 28th, 8:00am | More info

🔮 The Big Purple Psychic & Holistic Fair
Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Sunday 30th, 11:00am | More info

West Surrey

🎭 Beauty & The Beast
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Saturday 29th - Jan 4th | More info

🏃 Surrey Hills Half Marathon
St Martha’s Hill, Guildford, Sunday 30th, 8:30am | More info

🤠 Festive Country & Western Tribute Night
The Hog’s Back Hotel, Guildford, Friday 28th, 7:00pm | More info

🪕 Folk and Honey: Janice Burns & Jon Doran
Churt Village Hall, Churt, Saturday 29th, 7:30pm | More info

🕰️ Farnham Antiques Vintage Market
Central Car Park, Farnham, Sunday 30th, 10:00am | More info

💅 Nicky Hambleton-Jones Styling Event
Elphicks, Farnham, Friday 28th, 11:00am | More info

🎄 Christmas Market
Goldsworth Park Centre, Woking, Saturday 29th, 1:00pm | More info

🎁 Send Village Christmas Fair
Tannery Lane, Send, Woking, Saturday 29th, 12:00pm | More info

💃 Weybridge Salsa Party
Best Western Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Friday 28th, 7:45pm | More info

Weather

Monday
8° 🌡️ 4° | 🌥️ | After a chilly, wet weekend, it’s a mild-ish start to the week with clouds breaking for some actual sunshine! Highs around 8 °C, overnight dipping to about 4 °C. A dryish day overall, though don’t be surprised by a stray shower in the afternoon.

Tuesday
8° 🌡️ –1° | 🌤️ | Clearer skies ahead. Highs still around 8 °C but the overnight could slip down towards –1 °C, so expect a cold start - it could be time to get the 15 tog duvet down from the loft!

Wednesday
7° 🌡️ 5° | 🌦️ | Slightly cooler daytime high around 7 °C. Cloud cover is increasing, with a few scattered showers popping up in the afternoon. Good day to plan anything outdoor earlier rather than later.

Thursday
13° 🌡️ 10° | ☁️ | A bit of a rebound today! Highs up to about 13°C and lows down to around 10 °C. Cloudy skies dominate, though the warmth makes it a decent day to be out and about getting started on the Christmas shopping.. Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday
12° 🌡️ 6° | 🌤️ | Heading into the weekend with some promise… highs near 12 °C, overnight down to 6 °C. Some brighter spells are likely, especially in the afternoon.

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