The end of the year can be incredibly busy, and after the excitement of Christmas and new year, you may be hoping for a quieter start to 2026.
The beginning of a new year could be a good time to rest and reset, so you are ready to face the year ahead. Fortunately, we live in a beautiful part of the world with many perfect locations to get some much-needed respite from our busy lives.
Here are five local places to rest and reset.
1. Windlesham Arboretum
Getting out into nature is one of the best ways to clear your head, and a brisk walk is a useful way to stay active after perhaps over-indulging during the festive period.
There are some excellent local spots such as Chobham Common, but if you want to visit somewhere new, you could try Windlesham Arboretum.
This beautiful area, just a ten-minute drive from Chobham, is a protected woodland filled with rare trees and plants, and some picturesque lakes. A charity preserves the land, so you won’t be able to wander freely in the area, but there are some excellent footpaths that take you around the natural features. There are minimal ascents on the route too, so it’s ideal for a gentle winter walk.
2. RHS Garden Wisley
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) garden at Wisley is the flagship location of the organisation.
The expansive gardens, both indoor and outdoor, are home to all kinds of unique plant varieties. You will also find the latest in horticultural technology in the RHS Hilltop – the home of gardening science.
Throughout the year, there are many events, including workshops to give you tips about your own garden. This may be beneficial as, for many people, gardening is a brilliant way to unwind and disconnect from their fast pace of life.
If you’re looking to connect with nature and spend more time relaxing in your own outdoor space this year, a visit to Wisley could give you some excellent inspiration.
3. Lunch at the Sun Inn in Chobham
The Sun Inn is a favourite spot for the locals of Chobham, and it’s the ideal place for a relaxing winter afternoon.
After enjoying a walk on the common, you could stop in for a pub lunch and warm yourself by the fire. There is nothing better than a cosy pub on a winter’s day, and January could be an ideal time to visit the Sun Inn as they have some excellent deals available.
If you download their loyalty app, you can get 50% off main courses and enjoy some free drinks.
4. Brooklands Hotel and Spa in Weybridge
If you had a particularly stressful end to 2025 and want to find the ultimate relaxation at the beginning of the new year, a stay at Brooklands Hotel and Spa in Weybridge could be exactly what you need.
This state-of-the-art spa has many incredible facilities, including:
- A steam room
- Multiple saunas
- A Himalayan salt room
- A Sunlight therapy room
- Hydrotherapy pools.
You can also book a range of treatments including massages and facials to help you de-stress.
Whether you book in for a day or spend a few nights here, Brooklands is the perfect place to get away from it all and find some much-needed respite.
5. Fired Frog Pottery Cafe in Woking
Getting out into nature, enjoying a pub lunch, or spending the weekend at a spa are all excellent ways to relax. However, for some people, creative activities are a brilliant way to shut out the stresses of everyday life and find some calm.
Activities such as pottery are growing in popularity for this reason, so if you’re looking to try something new in 2026, why not visit the Fired Frog Pottery Cafe in Woking?
You can book one of their pottery painting sessions where you’ll be provided with a freshly made ceramic and all the equipment you need to create your own design.
This could be a very therapeutic way to spend an afternoon, and you never know – you might unearth a new talent!
Which of these restful activities will you choose at the start of 2026?
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