Baldwins Hill

The walk up Baldwins Hill rewards you with proper Surrey views - rolling countryside that stretches further than you'd expect from a spot that barely cracks 600 feet. It's not dramatic, nothing like the South Downs proper, but that's rather the point. You get the sense of actually walking through the landscape rather than just standing on top of it, gazing down from some mountain perch.

The climb itself is gentle enough for families with kids old enough to manage their legs for half an hour. It's not a slog. What matters here is the ridge walk and the way the fields drop away on either side - you feel like you're on something proper, even if the height says otherwise. Worth allowing an hour if you're not racing, longer if you fancy a picnic at the top.

Based near Lingfield, it fits well into a broader walking holiday across the Weald. Long Acres Glamping and their caravan park sit just down the road - both solid bases if you want countryside stays without too much faffing about. Hook Farm Campsite's five-star rating suggests they know what they're doing, and it's only five miles away if you want to explore further afield.

Go early if the weather's decent. Midday on a Sunday brings out everyone else with the same idea. The walk works year-round but autumn does it favours - clearer views, fewer midges. Real walkers will appreciate it as part of a longer route rather than a standalone destination, but it's absolutely worth the detour if you're in the area.