Abinger Common

Ancient woodland stretches across this corner of the Surrey Hills, offering proper countryside just a short drive from Dorking. Abinger Common feels refreshingly wild compared to some of the more manicured Surrey spots - fallen logs provide natural seating, streams trickle through the undergrowth, and the paths wind between centuries-old oak and beech trees without too much signposting.

Families will find it brilliant for letting kids run free, though you'll want to keep an eye on smaller ones near the streams. The terrain's varied enough to keep teenagers interested, with gentle slopes and the odd scramble over fallen trees. Dog walkers absolutely love it here - there's space to let them off the lead and plenty of interesting smells to investigate.

Plan for at least two hours if you want to explore properly, though you could easily spend half a day here if the weather's decent. Best visited outside summer weekends when it can get a bit busy with families from London. The lack of facilities means bringing a thermos and some snacks if you're planning a longer visit.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes this an easy morning excursion. Surrey Hills Yurts sits closest at under two miles away, while several other glamping spots like Cowroom and Hammonds put you within easy reach of this lovely stretch of common land.