I am not based at Fairoaks, but fly in from time to time.
To keep things simple i.e. not upsetting Heathrow Approach, I always arrive from the South.
Guildford cathedral is a useful VRP (in the SW corner of the town). I usually make my 1st call to Fairoaks from there to announce my intentions. Routing North from there you will soon have the airfield in sight and can join the circuit however you see fit (or the AFIS/AG suggests). I have only ever landed on R06, so I join crosswind over the numbers of 24 for a left hand circuit. This will keep you well clear of the M25 and M3 and therefore inside the ATZ.
It's a friendly place with a reasonable(ish) landing fee (cannot remember exactly how much) that you pay in the tower.
You can also pop into the Transair shop for a poke about.
I just had a look in my log book and it is 18 months since my last visit. Time flys. Hopefully a Fairoaks regular can 'top-up' or correct my comments above!
TG