Bastion Hill

The walk up Bastion Hill near Guildford rewards you with surprisingly good views across Surrey's rolling countryside - nothing dramatic, but the kind of vista that makes you understand why people settle in this corner of the South East. It's a proper local's spot rather than a honeypot attraction, which means you won't queue for anything and the paths stay reasonably quiet even on weekends.

The summit itself is modest in height but the approach through woodland keeps things interesting. On a clear day you can pick out the Weald stretching away towards Kent. The walk takes about an hour from the nearest access point, so it's manageable for families with older kids who don't need constant stops, though younger ones might find the steady gradient a bit much.

There's no visitor infrastructure up here - no café, no information board, just you and the trees and that decent view. Come on a dry day because the paths get boggy otherwise. The local footpath network is well-marked, so navigation's straightforward if you've got an Ordnance Survey map or a decent GPS app.

If you're based at Chapel Farm Park or Wyldecrest, both within two miles, this makes a decent half-day outing to get some air into the legs. It's not going to be the highlight of your holiday, but it's exactly the sort of unheralded walk that locals know and visitors often miss. Worth combining with a pub lunch in Guildford itself rather than treating it as a destination in isolation.