Arts & Theatre in Surrey
From the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to village galleries and arts centres, Surrey’s cultural scene is rich, varied and always worth exploring.
Theatres & Performance
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
One of England’s leading producing theatres, staging world-class drama, comedy and musicals on the banks of the River Wey.
The Electric Theatre
Guildford’s intimate arts venue for live music, comedy, film and community theatre in the heart of the town centre.
G Live
Guildford’s largest entertainment venue, hosting major touring shows, concerts, comedy and conferences in a modern 1,700-seat auditorium.
Dorking Halls
A much-loved community venue in the heart of Dorking offering live theatre, cinema, concerts and local events since 1931.
Harlequin Theatre & Cinema
East Surrey’s principal theatre and cinema complex, offering touring productions, pantomime and first-run films in Redhill.
Leatherhead Theatre
A historic theatre in Leatherhead with a distinguished past as a producing house, now hosting touring shows, comedy and community events.
Galleries & Museums
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village
A unique heritage attraction celebrating the work of G. F. Watts, with galleries, the extraordinary Watts Chapel and beautiful grounds.
The Lightbox
Woking’s award-winning gallery and museum, housing the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art alongside local history exhibitions.
New Ashgate Gallery
A leading contemporary craft gallery in Farnham showcasing ceramics, glass, textiles and fine art by established and emerging makers.
Guildford House Gallery
A free public gallery housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century townhouse on Guildford High Street, showing local and touring exhibitions.
Haslemere Museum
A charming independent museum with outstanding natural history, geology and local history collections in the heart of Haslemere.
Arts Centres
Farnham Maltings
A thriving arts centre in a converted 18th-century maltings building, offering theatre, cinema, dance, craft markets and community events.
Cranleigh Arts Centre
A vibrant village arts centre presenting live music, theatre, comedy, cinema and workshops in the heart of England’s largest village.
Surrey Artists Open Studios
An annual county-wide event where hundreds of Surrey-based artists and makers open their studios to the public across two weekends.
Rural Life Centre
A unique open-air museum celebrating rural life and traditional crafts across ten acres of Surrey countryside near Farnham.
Surrey’s cultural landscape stretches far beyond London’s shadow. The county has nurtured a thriving arts scene for well over a century, from the Victorian philanthropy of G. F. Watts at Compton to the bold contemporary programming at Guildford’s G Live. Whether you favour a West End–quality touring production, a quiet afternoon among watercolours or an evening of live spoken word, there is something within easy reach of almost every Surrey village.
Theatre is a particular strength. The Yvonne Arnaud has been one of Britain’s most respected producing theatres since it opened on the banks of the River Wey in 1965, and many productions transfer directly to or from the West End. Complementing it are intimate studio spaces, community theatres and the 1,700–seat G Live, which draws headline acts and large–scale touring shows to Guildford’s town centre.
Galleries and museums add further depth. Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village is a unique heritage attraction that combines fine art, chapel architecture and landscaped grounds, while The Lightbox in Woking offers a striking modern gallery space with a rolling programme of exhibitions. Meanwhile, independent arts centres such as Farnham Maltings and Cranleigh Arts Centre keep creativity rooted in local communities, hosting everything from ceramics workshops to film screenings and live music.
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