Car Hire Chertsey

Chertsey sits just off the M25, close enough to London for convenience but far enough to feel like its own place. We came in via Staines and found it an effortless first stop—a town where things slow down just enough. The slower pace is amplified by its lower population count – 16,000. Spring brings colour to the meadows and towpaths, while autumn carries a soft hush through the trees. Pack for sudden shifts in weather; the skies can turn quickly here.

Thorpe Park brings the energy but Chertsey’s deeper character shows in the quieter corners: the worn stones of the old abbey, the small but layered museum and the winding paths along the Thames. While driving in from Virginia Water, we felt the shift—from fast roads to something older, gentler and full of detail.

Attractions In Chertsey

Chertsey isn’t loud about its attractions but that’s what makes wandering here feel like uncovering a well-kept secret. You’ll find a mix of heritage, green space and sudden jolts of modern energy—the kind of place where you might stumble upon a medieval ruin before queuing for a high-speed coaster.

Chertsey Museum

Tucked inside a Georgian townhouse on Windsor Street, Chertsey Museum offers a surprisingly rich glimpse into local history. We found displays ranging from Roman artefacts to fashion textiles, with changing exhibitions that give the place a sense of movement. The museum’s open Tuesday to Friday, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 11:00 am. It’s small but deeply personal—the kind of place where a quiet chat with the staff reveals more than the placards.

Chertsey Meads

Open at all hours, the Meads are Chertsey’s green lungs. Stretching out alongside the Thames, the space is popular with dog walkers and birdwatchers alike. We strolled out early one misty morning and caught a heron lifting off from the water’s edge. There’s a sense of peace here, even when the nearby roads are busy. Tucked within easy reach of Addlestone and Weybridge, it’s an easy place to lose track of time.

Chertsey Abbey

Only remnants remain but they carry weight. Founded in 666 AD, Chertsey Abbey once held real regional power. Today, you’ll find parts of the stonework integrated into walls and scattered across Abbey Fields. We nearly missed the sign for this one—it’s easy to walk past—but taking the time to stand in its quiet footprint is oddly grounding.

Gogmore Farm Park

For families, Gogmore Farm Park just off Riversdell Close offers an open play space with solid variety. We watched local kids charge between the zip line and tyre swing while adults sipped takeaway coffee nearby. It’s not flashy but it’s well-kept—and the views across to the Abbey grounds give it extra charm.

SAW – The Ride

A sharp turn from history, SAW – The Ride inside Thorpe Park delivers on its name. This is a dark, twisting steel monster of a coaster that’s not for the faint-hearted. Operating daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, it draws thrill-seekers by the thousand—especially those detouring from Walton on Thames for a full day out. You’ll hear the screams before you see the drop.

The Dome

Mountbatten Pavilion’s standout feature—known simply as The Dome—is a curious architectural bubble. Open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, it’s often used as a quiet social or events space. We stopped by at dusk and the interior glow against the fading sky made for an oddly calming break from the rollercoasters next door.

Homewood Park

Located just off Guildford Street in Lyne, Homewood Park is a lesser-known gem with a quiet charm. Open 24/7, it’s a pleasant patch for walkers and cyclists. During a visit to West Byfleet, we found time to circle back here on a whim—a good call if you’re looking to avoid the busier town centre spots.

Stealth

This one’s hard to miss—literally. Stealth at Thorpe Park is one of the fastest rollercoasters in the UK and the launch alone is worth the wait. Running daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, it catapults you into open sky in under two seconds. You feel it in your teeth. An ideal detour for drivers coming from Shepperton, especially if you’re chasing adrenaline.

The Swarm

Another major draw at Thorpe Park, The Swarm is themed around apocalyptic chaos, with dramatic near-miss elements and a backwards seat option. It’s open slightly later than most—from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm—which gives you the chance to ride it under fading skies. We queued longer than planned but left grinning.

Chertsey Bridge

Better-looking than many of the Thames crossings, Chertsey Bridge stands as a quiet triumph of 18th-century engineering. While driving in from Egham, we decided to stop and admire the arches—and ended up walking the length of it just for the view downstream. A modest pleasure but a rewarding one.

Where Old Meets New

Chertsey offers that rare blend—history without the pomp, modern fun without the chaos. Its riverside paths and hidden parks give space to breathe, while the clatter of theme park tracks in the distance keeps the place lively. You’ll find a few decent cafés around Guildford Street and the pubs tilt toward old-school comfort over trendiness. Accommodation is mostly functional, though a couple of B&Bs nearby hint at more personal touches.