Beacon Hill

The walk up Beacon Hill from Godalming rewards you with proper views across the Weald - nothing dramatic, but on a clear day you can see right out towards the South Downs. It's only 278 metres high, so don't expect Alpine theatre, but that's rather the point. The climb takes twenty minutes at a steady pace, and the summit has a small triangulation pillar that marks the spot where beacon fires once burned to warn of Spanish invasion.

This works best for walkers who don't need a destination to justify the effort. Families with younger kids will manage it fine, though there's not much to do once you're up there beyond eat a sandwich and take photos. On weekends it gets busy enough that you'll see other people, but not uncomfortably so. The path is well-worn and straightforward - no scrambling required.

It pairs nicely with a stay at one of the nearby glamping spots. Little Cowdray Farm Glamping sits just 2.3 miles away and makes a good base for exploring the Surrey Hills without the hotel formality. Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat and Milberry Green Meadows are equally close, all within easy reach for a morning walk. Allow an hour for the full experience - up, around, down - and go early if you want any solitude. Free to visit, of course. Worth the trip if you're in Godalming anyway; don't travel specifically for it.