Barnett Hill

The walk up Barnett Hill rewards you with proper views across the Surrey countryside - nothing dramatic, but on a clear day you can see a fair stretch of the Weald rolling away beneath you. It's the sort of spot locals know about and visitors often miss, which is exactly why it's worth the detour.

The summit itself isn't much to look at - a grassy hilltop without any monument or structure, just open space and the satisfaction of having walked uphill. Allow yourself forty minutes to an hour from the nearest carpark, depending on your fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. Kids who like being outdoors will get something from it; those after ice cream and playgrounds might find it a bit of a slog.

What makes it work is how it slots into a camping trip around here. You're close enough to Chantry Wood Campsite or Edgeley Holiday Park that you could knock it off as a morning walk before breakfast, or use it to burn off restless energy mid-afternoon. It's free, naturally - just pull over and start walking. The best time is autumn or spring when you're not melting in the sun or sliding about in mud.

Surrey has better-known peaks, but Barnett Hill doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. It's a straightforward hillwalk with decent views and absolutely no crowds. Proper job for a half-day activity when you're camped nearby.