Car Hire Reigate

Mornings in Reigate often begin with birdsong echoing off the slopes of the North Downs and end with the soft hush of a High Street easing into evening. This Surrey town with a population of about 22,000 combines a rich sense of place with the kind of everyday rhythm that’s easy to slip into.

It’s well connected without feeling overrun—the A217 cuts neatly through town and links with the M25, making Reigate an appealing stop whether you’re travelling across the county or dipping down from London. While summer draws walkers and cyclists to nearby hills, the early months of spring or the tail end of autumn can be even more rewarding—fewer crowds, vivid landscapes and just enough crispness in the air to warrant an unhurried coffee stop.

Attractions In Reigate

Reigate doesn’t rush to show off. You might pass a quiet lane and only later realise it leads to a centuries-old cave or stumble on a hilltop view that stops you in your tracks.

Priory Park

One of Reigate’s best-loved spaces, Priory Park sits just off Bell Street and offers a bit of everything. The formal gardens bloom beautifully in spring, while the wide lawns and lakeside paths stay busy with families and dog walkers all year round. A modern playground and skate park add to its appeal and the café by the pavilion does a steady trade in coffee and cakes. It’s open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm—early enough for a crisp morning walk.

Reigate Caves

Few towns can claim to have a network of sand mines running beneath their feet but Reigate can. These caves, hidden below Tunnel Road, are open on select days for guided tours. Despite being underground, they’re surprisingly spacious and cool rather than claustrophobic. The history here runs deep—literally—with stories of smuggling, war-time use and early industry etched into the sandstone walls. If you enjoy underground curiosities, Caterham has a few of its own, along with scenic woodland trails not far off the main road.

Barons’ Cave

A short walk from the castle grounds brings you to Barons’ Cave, a little-known gem with a long memory. It’s one of the oldest show caves in Britain, thought to date back to the Norman period. The tours are short but packed with local folklore, from medieval gatherings to whispered royal connections. It only opens a few times a year, so timing matters.

Reigate Castle Grounds

There’s no towering fortress left to explore but the gatehouse and manicured gardens give Reigate Castle Grounds a quiet grandeur. Tucked right into the town centre along the High Street, the park is ideal for a lunch break or a slow wander. Arched entrances, benches in the shade and a view over the rooftops make it more than just a green space—it’s a pocket of calm in the day.

Reigate Fort

Up on Reigate Hill, the Fort is a different kind of heritage site—a piece of Victorian military architecture that once stood guard as part of London’s outer defences. It’s part of a longer walking route under the National Trust, so getting there means a bit of legwork or a short drive. The remains are open to the elements but information boards and viewpoints bring the place to life. It’s perfect if you’ve got energetic kids—or if you’re pairing it with a peaceful drive through Leigh or Smallfield, where the lanes narrow and the views open up.

Gatton Park

Though technically just over in Redhill, Gatton Park feels very much part of Reigate’s green orbit. Designed by Capability Brown, it opens occasionally for public visits and private events. When it does, you’ll find landscaped gardens, peaceful woodland paths and a tranquil lake walk that pulls you away from everyday noise. Parking is easy and it’s a pleasant drive out if you’re already exploring the area.

Reigate Tunnel

This curved brick tunnel near Castlefield Road has an odd past—once used to store barrels of spirits, it’s now a pedestrian walkway and part-time art space. The murals inside change occasionally, giving it a living-gallery feel. Even if you only pass through, it adds a dash of character to the town’s centre.

Wray Common Windmill

You won’t spend long here but Wray Common Windmill is worth the small detour if you’re nearby. Tucked among homes just north of town, the white smock mill is privately owned and not open for tours—but its silhouette is striking, especially if the clouds are shifting behind it. A nice spot for a photo or a moment of stillness.

Reigate Brewery Yard Mural

Hidden behind the High Street’s more visible offerings, the Brewery Yard mural is one of those “if you know, you know” pieces. We nearly missed it the first time. It’s a bold, locally inspired artwork that nods to Reigate’s industrial past, painted across the brick in a tucked-away courtyard. Worth seeking out if you like spotting street art in unexpected places.

Clarendon Fine Art Reigate

This small but thoughtfully curated gallery on the High Street focuses on contemporary pieces, with regular exhibitions and friendly staff who seem to know their stuff. If you’re into modern prints or just curious, it’s an easy drop-in. Open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm most days (10:00 am weekends), it adds an artistic layer to the town’s offering—and it makes a calm prelude to dinner somewhere tucked away in Kingswood.

Inglis Memorial And Reigate Hill Footbridge

Set along the Reigate Hill Path, the Inglis Memorial was originally built as a shelter and viewpoint. It still works beautifully as both. A little further on, the Edwardian footbridge offers panoramic views over the Weald—it’s one of those unexpectedly cinematic moments. Bring a thermos and take your time. If you’re continuing your journey afterwards, you’ll find Dorking just over the ridge, ideal for an antique hunt or a glass of local wine.

A Surrey Stop Worth Making

Spend your morning tracing hilltop trails or exploring castle remnants and your afternoon browsing local shops or relaxing over lunch in one of the town’s quiet cafés. Reigate offers a satisfying mix of open green spaces and compact charm—easy to explore without feeling rushed.

It also works well as a base for short countryside drives. Head toward Tadworth for gentle woodland walks and a quieter pace at the edge of the North Downs. And if you’ve still got time in the day, Godstone makes a fitting final stop—especially if you’re after a pub with views or a last countryside stroll.