Sutton Central Library

The library sits right in Sutton town centre, a proper striking building that catches your eye the moment you walk past. It's all clean lines and glass frontage - nothing like the musty Victorian reading rooms you might expect from a library. Inside, it's genuinely welcoming: good spread of books, a decent selection of DVDs, computers if you need them, plus there's a café area where you can sit with a cup of tea without anyone batting an eyelid.

For families based at nearby Chessington World of Adventures Resort, this is worth knowing about. Kids can grab something from the children's section if they're rained out, and parents can have a quiet browse while the little ones explore. It's free to use, which doesn't hurt when you're on holiday and trying to keep costs down. The staff are helpful without being intrusive - the sort who actually know where things are.

Truth is, unless you're a proper bookworm or need a specific resource, you won't spend more than an hour here. It's not a destination in itself. But if you're staying in the area - whether that's Alderstead Heath Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or anywhere near Redhill - and the weather turns, or you just fancy a break from theme park queues, it's a solid option. Modern, clean, and it does exactly what it says on the tin.