Bricksbury Hill

The walk up Bricksbury Hill takes about twenty minutes from Farnham, and it's worth every step. You're climbing through proper Surrey woodland - mostly beech and oak - with the path getting steeper as you go, but nothing that'll have you gasping for air. The summit itself isn't dramatic, but the views across the Wey Valley are solid. On a clear day you can see right across the Surrey Weald towards the South Downs. It's the kind of spot where you understand why people bother walking hills in the southeast.

Families with older kids will enjoy this one more than toddlers - the ascent requires actual legs - but the woodland setting keeps things interesting throughout. History buffs might appreciate that you're walking through land that's been part of Surrey's landscape for centuries, though there's not much in the way of interpretation on the ground.

Go early if you can. Mid-morning on a weekday and you'll have the hill nearly to yourself. Weekends get busier, especially if the weather's decent. Allow an hour for the full loop if you're not rushing. Free to walk, naturally, and no facilities on the hill itself - bring water.

If you're based at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat nearby, this works as a proper morning jaunt without eating into your whole day. The woodland path is manageable year-round, though autumn is genuinely lovely up here. Spring too, if the bluebells are still out.