The Surrey Hills Wood Fair is set to return to Cranleigh Showground on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026, offering a weekend of woodland adventure, traditional crafts, countryside skills, and hands-on family fun. Now in its 16th year, the event has grown into one of the South East's most popular outdoor festivals, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
Event Details and Partners
Organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises in partnership with Shooting Star Children's Hospices and sponsored by JDB Contractors & Sons, the Wood Fair transforms the showground into a vibrant celebration of woodland heritage, skilled craftsmanship, and outdoor adventure. Set in the heart of the Surrey Hills, visitors are encouraged to explore, take part, and experience the countryside at its most alive.
Woodland Skills and Crafts
At the heart of the event is a celebration of woodland skills, where traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation come together. Visitors can watch master craftspeople in action as they demonstrate age-old techniques, including greenwood turning, basket weaving, spoon carving, hedge laying, and hurdle making. Hands-on woodworking workshops, such as pyrography, invite visitors to try their own creative skills, while cutting-edge woodland machinery demonstrations showcase the modern side of forestry and land management.
Immersive Experiences
Immersive outdoor skills displays run alongside Viking survival experiences and Medieval living history demonstrations within The Paladins of Chivalry village, creating a constant sense of discovery throughout the event. The much-loved Woodworkers' Village offers a chance to meet skilled artisans face-to-face, explore time-honoured techniques, and see how traditional and contemporary woodland crafts continue to evolve side by side.
Family Activities
The Wood Fair is built for participation. Families can try tree climbing, archery, axe throwing, trampolining, treasure trails, and shire horse and wagon rides. A new puzzle-solving treasure trail from Paradox Parlours invites visitors to solve clues and challenges around the site. Animal encounters with Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group and Wild About Britain offer the chance to get up close to native wildlife. Younger visitors can enjoy arts and crafts, including twig pencil making and beeswax candle rolling.
New Fun Dog Show
A brand-new Fun Dog Show, sponsored by Brookmead Vets, launches on Sunday. Open to dogs of all shapes and sizes, it celebrates personality, character, and charm. Categories include Prettiest Bitch, Handsome Chap, Dog Who Looks Most Like Their Owner, Best Trick, Golden Oldie for those aged eight and over, and Waggiest Tail. Expect light-hearted competition, big laughs, and plenty of crowd favourites.
Main Arena and Entertainment
The main arena delivers a packed programme across both days, featuring the spectacular Paladins of Chivalry, Birds of Prey displays, log-pulling, and the Fun Dog Show including a dog trick display. The fair also showcases more than 80 of Surrey's best independent makers, artists, and food producers. Visitors can browse handmade crafts, unique gifts, and artwork inspired by the Surrey Hills landscape, alongside street food, local produce, and live music throughout the day. The covered music area hosts a line-up of singers, songwriters, and choirs, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Access and Tickets
With free parking, free entry for children under 16, and a warm welcome for well-behaved dogs on leads, the Surrey Hills Wood Fair offers an accessible and memorable countryside day out. The event takes place at Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 7DW. Early bird tickets are now available with an optional donation to Shooting Star Children's Hospices. Entry for adults is £12.50, or £15 on the door. For students and senior citizens, tickets cost £10, or £12.50 on the door. Children under 16 and carers can enter for free. For tickets and further information, visit the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2026 website.
