Good morning, Surrey! Simon here. This is Inspired Surrey, the newsletter that passes through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, past the sea of twirly-swirly gumdrops, and over the Spa Creek Bridge to get you your news.

In today’s Inspired Surrey:

• Spend NYE at Denbies 🍾

• Christmassy Show of Christmassy Christmasness 🎄

• The World-Famous Monday Wordle 🧠

• What’s on Guide for this week 📅

Let’s get to it.

🍾 New Year’s Eve Bottomless Lunch at Denbies – A Calm, Delicious Way to End the Year

🗓️ Wednesday 31 December 2025, from midday
📍 The Gallery Restaurant, Denbies Wine Estate
🎟️ £55 per adult | £18 (12 & under) | £7 (5 & under)

If the idea of battling crowds on New Year’s Eve makes you want to hibernate, Denbies has come up with a much nicer alternative: a Bottomless Lunch in their Gallery Restaurant. It’s a daytime celebration, so you can enjoy good food, good wine, and a bit of sparkle without having to stay up past midnight (unless you want to).

Lunch includes:
• A glass of Denbies fizz on arrival
• A three-course meal
• Bottomless still wine from Denbies’ own cellar
• Or bottomless soft drinks if you prefer

It’s a simple, relaxed way to mark the end of the year — great for families, couples, or anyone who’d rather raise a glass over a long lunch than squeeze into a busy bar later on.

Bookings start from midday, and Denbies fills up fast for NYE, so if this sounds like your pace, it’s one to reserve sooner rather than later.

👉 Grab your ticket here.

@InspiredSurrey 📸

📸 @surrey_snaps | 📍 Polesden Lacey, Surrey

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🎄 The Christmassy Show of Christmassy Christmasness – A Festive Family Treat in Epsom

🗓️ Sunday 21 December 2025 – 11:30am & 2pm
📍 The Horton, Epsom
🎟️ Family ticket £50 (admits up to 4, must include one adult)

If you’re looking for something fun and festive for the little ones in the run-up to Christmas, Squashbox Theatre is bringing a brand-new Christmas special to The Horton — and it’s exactly as joyfully chaotic as the title suggests.

Squashbox are known for their clever mix of puppetry, comedy, music, quizzes and wonderfully bonkers characters, and this seasonal show is packed with all the Christmas favourites: fir trees, fairy lights, snowflakes, puddings, crackers and more. Expect silly slapstick, madcap storytelling, and enough festive energy to keep everyone smiling.

Highlights include:
• A snowman who lives in the fridge
• Spot-the-elf challenges
• “Hunt the brussel sprout” (brave parents only)
• The world’s worst Christmas jumper
• A slightly questionable Christmas fairy
• Fun facts, traditions and even some festive science

It runs for 60 minutes with no interval and is suitable for ages 5+ — great for families who want something upbeat, not too long, and full of Christmas spirit.

Ticket options:
• Family ticket (up to 4 people): £50
• Adult + Child: £30
• Additional Adult: £17
• Additional Child: £15

The building opens from 10am–2:30pm, and the café-bar is open until 2pm if you want a hot chocolate before or after the show.

It’s a warm, friendly festive event, perfect for getting everyone in the mood for the big week ahead. Click here for more information and tickets.

The Monday Wordle: Episode 45 🧠

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

Click here to play.

Last week’s answer: jumps

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The Digest 🗞️😀

A hidden treasure in the form of a century-old painting could soon help breathe new life into one of Surrey’s oldest buildings. Waverley Borough Council is looking to sell Cornish Fisher Folk — an oil painting it somehow acquired through a historical game of pass-the-parcel — to Cornwall’s Penlee Gallery, where it currently resides. The goal? Raise at least £100,000 to restore the 18th-century Willmer House, home to the Museum of Farnham. If the gallery can’t fundraise in time, the artwork will go to auction in March. From forgotten asset to museum saviour — not a bad second act for a fishing village scene. 🖼️🏛️

Drivers heading to Gatwick in January are in for a not-so-cheery New Year surprise, as the airport's drop-off charge jumps from £7 to a whopping £10. The fee hike — the biggest since charges were introduced in 2021 — has sparked criticism from motoring groups, with the RAC calling it a record increase. Gatwick blames the rise on surging business rates and says the extra cash will go towards public transport and sustainability schemes. But with Heathrow also raising its fee and other UK airports following suit, the days of a quick goodbye without a hit to your wallet may be truly over. 💸✈️

Surrey commuters, take note — the new rail timetable kicks in this Sunday with a few key changes. Southern services are getting a boost, including extra morning and evening peak trains between Eastbourne and London Bridge, stopping at familiar Surrey spots like Three Bridges and Redhill. Plus, a new early morning service from Three Bridges to London Victoria is replacing the old Gatwick starter. While South Western Railway says there are no major timetable shifts, some services will run with different trains as they retire their older fleet. As always during the festive season, check ahead, engineering works could catch you out! See more details on the changes here. 🚆📅

What’s On This Week 📅

East Surrey

🎭 Sleeping with Beauty (18+ Panto)
The King & Queen, Caterham, Friday 19th, 7:30pm | More info

🧘 Charity Christmas Yoga Class
Oxted Community Hall, Oxted, Tuesday 16th, 7:30pm | More info

🤘 Glam Rock Night
Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill, Saturday 20th, 7:30pm | More info

🎅 Daytime Disco: Christmas Special
Fever & Boutique, Epsom, Saturday 20th, 3:00pm | More info

⛄ Christmas Jumpers and Caroloke
Woodman, Banstead, Saturday 20th, 6:00pm | More info

🍂 Luxury Christmas Wreath Making
The Bear, Esher, Wednesday 17th, 6:00pm | More info

👯 The Christmas Dance
Old Barn Hall, Bookham, Saturday 20th, 8:00pm | More info

West Surrey

🎵 Guildford Record Fair
The Guildhall, Guildford, Sunday 21st, 9:30am | More info

🧒 Popkids Guildford
The Boileroom, Guildford, Sunday 21st, 1:00pm | More info

🎭 Two Turtle Doves
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Thursday 18th, 7:00pm | More info

❄️ Witchy Winter Wonderland
Pyrford Village, Woking, Sunday 21st, 11:00am | More info

🏃 Christmas 10km Run
Newlands Corner, Shere, Saturday 20th, 8:00am | More info

🎶 Music at the Pottery Christmas Special
Pottery Lane, Farnham, Friday 19th, 8:00pm | More info

🎄 Lights of London Tour
Multiple Locations, Friday 19th, 5:30pm | More info

Weather

Monday 15th 
12° 🌡️ 9° | ☁️ | A grey start to the week with overcast skies throughout. Mild for mid-December with highs around 12 °C, staying near 9 °C overnight. Light southerly breezes with gusts up to 30 mph at times. Dry but dreary – a decent day for festive errands if you don't mind the gloom.

Tuesday 16th 
11° 🌡️ 1° | ☁️🌤️ | Overcast through the morning with a chance of light rain or drizzle, particularly mid-morning. Skies should clear by evening, turning partly cloudy then clear overnight. A notable temperature drop once the cloud breaks – highs of 11 °C but falling to just 1 °C by the early hours. Wrap up if you're out late!

Wednesday 17th 
11° 🌡️ 3° | 🌤️🌧️ | A chilly but bright start with some lovely winter sunshine in the morning. Cloud builds through the day, and rain arrives by evening, continuing overnight with freshening southerly winds. Highs around 11 °C, lows near 3 °C in the morning. Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts – the best window is before midday.

Thursday 18th 
12° 🌡️ 7° | 🌧️💨 | The unsettled theme continues with a grey, blustery day. Overcast throughout with periods of light rain, especially mid-afternoon and later evening. Strong southerly winds with gusts reaching 35 mph – properly breezy! Highs of 12 °C, overnight around 7 °C. One to avoid for outdoor plans; ideal for indoor Christmas prep and getting that festive jumper on!

Friday 19th 
10° 🌡️ 4° | 🌤️ | The week ends on a brighter note. Early cloud clears to reveal some sunny intervals through the day. Winds easing and temperatures cooling – highs near 10 °C, dropping to about 4 °C overnight. A decent day for a winter walk or last-minute shopping.

Thank you! 👍

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