Chertsey

Chertsey makes a practical and appealing base for exploring north-west Surrey, whether you are drawn by the Thames-side setting, the town's deep history around Chertsey Abbey, or its proximity to Thorpe Park. Hotel options nearby range from riverside pubs with rooms and boutique-style stays through to reliable chain hotels positioned for easy access to the M25 and Thorpe Park itself, which sits just outside the town. Staying in Chertsey rather than at the theme park resort typically costs less while keeping you only a few minutes' drive from the gates, and it puts the abbey ruins, Chertsey Museum and the riverside walks within easy reach too.

Families visiting Thorpe Park often find Chertsey and neighbouring towns like Weybridge and Staines offer a wider spread of hotel choices and prices than staying on-site, while still being close enough for an early start. For a quieter break focused on the river and countryside, smaller inns and B&Bs around Chertsey and the nearby villages of Lyne and Ottershaw provide a more traditional Surrey welcome, often within walking distance of the Thames towpath. Wherever you choose to stay, Chertsey's position just inside the M25 near Junction 11 and its direct rail link to London Waterloo make it a genuinely convenient spot to unpack for a night or two.

Chertsey rewards a wander on foot, with the river, the abbey site and the museum all within easy walking distance of each other, plus one of the region's biggest family attractions just outside town.

• Chertsey Abbey ruins — Founded in AD 666, this was once one of England's great Benedictine abbeys; little remains above ground, but the site and surrounding Abbey Green are a peaceful spot to take in thirteen centuries of local history.
• Chertsey Museum — Housed in an elegant Georgian townhouse on Windsor Street, this free museum covers local archaeology and social history and is home to the nationally significant Olive Matthews Collection of historic dress and costume.
• Thorpe Park — One of the UK's leading theme parks lies just outside Chertsey, packed with roller coasters and family rides, making the town a handy and often cheaper place to stay for a Thorpe Park visit.
• Chertsey Bridge and the River Thames — This elegant 18th-century bridge crosses the Thames at the edge of town, with riverside paths either side popular for walking, cycling and simply watching the boats go by.
• St Ann's Hill — A protected local landmark and green space above the town offering woodland walks and views back over Chertsey and the Thames valley.
• Chertsey Meads — Open riverside meadowland on the edge of town, good for walking, birdwatching and picnicking beside the Thames.
• JB Waterski — A well-known wakeboard and waterskiing centre on the river near Chertsey, popular with watersports enthusiasts and beginners alike.
• Great Cockcrow Railway — A charming miniature steam railway in nearby Lyne, a favourite for a low-key family outing just a short drive from the town centre.

Chertsey's dining scene centres on its historic pubs and a scattering of independent restaurants. The Kingfisher is a country pub and restaurant right beside the 18th-century bridge, with a courtyard and classic pub fare, while The Bridge, a pub and hotel on the Thames, serves a seasonal British menu, real ales and a popular Sunday roast in its riverside garden. The Golden Grove is another oak-beamed, river-facing pub with plenty of period character. For something different, the town has an Indian restaurant known for its tandoori dishes, along with the usual mix of high-street chains including a PizzaExpress on London Street.

Chertsey and the surrounding Thames Valley countryside offer a gentler introduction to camping than Surrey's wilder heathland further south, with a landscape of water meadows, willow-lined riverbanks and gently rolling farmland rather than dramatic hills. As in the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal here, so pitching up on Chertsey Meads or along the Thames towpath without prior arrangement is not an option; instead, visitors should look to licensed campsites and caravan parks in the wider area around Chertsey, Chertsey, Chobham and the Thames-side villages towards Windsor and Staines.

The flat, low-lying terrain around the river means many local sites are geared towards touring caravans, motorhomes and family camping rather than rugged backcountry pitches, and several also welcome tents. Given the proximity to Thorpe Park, a number of campsites in the area position themselves as budget-friendly alternatives to on-site theme park accommodation, combining an easy drive to the rides with evenings spent beside the river or in more traditional countryside surroundings a little further out towards Chobham Common and the Surrey Heaths.

The best season for camping around Chertsey runs from late spring to early autumn, when longer days and milder weather suit riverside walks, watersports on the Thames and cycling the towpaths, and when Thorpe Park itself is at its busiest. Early autumn can also be a rewarding, quieter time to camp nearby, with golden light along the river and the theme park crowds beginning to thin. For those who would rather skip the tent pegs altogether, glamping options in the wider area, from safari tents to shepherd's huts, offer a more comfortable way to enjoy the Thames Valley countryside, pairing proper beds and often a wood-burner or hot tub with the same easy access to Chertsey's history, riverside walks and nearby family attractions.