The Arts Society encourages local societies to produce Trails of Discovery for their areas.
These began with Church Trails for children aged 8-12, which lead the children around a church, answering questions about religion, history, art and architecture, with an answer sheet including more detail for accompanying adults. There are now more than 400 of these trails around the country.
The type of trail has now widened to include historic buildings, towns, villages, gardens, walks and railways, indeed anything of interest in the area.
There are also Memory Trails around churches for people suffering from dementia with questions designed to evoke memories and prompt conversations with family or carers. Trails can also be adapted for use by younger children and those with additional learning needs.
These are the existing Trails of Discovery you can find in Surrey.
Children’s Church Trails:
- St Martin of Tours, Epsom
- Guildford Cathedral
Children’s Garden Trail:
Historic Trail:
- Abbot's Hospital, Guildford.
Memory Trails:
- Abbot's Hospital, Guildford.
- St Martin’s, Dorking.
- St Nicholas Church, Guildford.
- St Mary & St Nicholas Church, Leatherhead.
Town Trail:
- Discover Leatherhead Art Trail.
Would you like to start a trail? You can be part of a small team or work with a friend. No experience is necessary, just interest and enthusiasm, and there is plenty of support available. Please get in touch - contact a Society near you, or Email info@theartssocietysurreyarea.org.uk.