Butts Hill

Butts Hill doesn't announce itself. There's no visitor centre, no car park with a gift shop, just a modest rise on the Surrey landscape near Chertsey that locals have been walking up for generations. It's the sort of place you find by accident or because someone's actually been there and tipped you off.

The summit itself offers decent views across the Thames valley - nothing that'll take your breath away, but on a clear day you get a proper sense of the local countryside rolling away. The walk up is gentle enough for families with older kids, though don't expect dramatic peaks. It's Surrey, after all - we're talking rolling green hills rather than Alpine drama.

Really, Butts Hill works best as part of a bigger walk rather than a destination in itself. Twenty minutes to get up and down, add another hour if you're meandering through the surrounding paths. It's the sort of spot you'd tackle on a Wednesday afternoon when the weather's decent and you fancy some leg work without too much commitment.

Stay at one of the caravan parks scattered around Chertsey - Chertsey Caravan Park sits just three miles away - and you've got a solid base for exploring the Thames valley. The hill pairs well with walks along the river itself or exploring Chertsey's modest town centre. Not a showstopper on its own, but it punches above its weight when you're planning a proper walking holiday in the area. Go when it's dry underfoot.