Chapelhill Wood

The woodland here is genuinely thick - proper Surrey green belt stuff with the kind of shade that feels serious even on hot days. Chapelhill Wood sits just outside Dorking and it's the sort of place locals know well but visitors often miss, distracted by Box Hill and the more obvious attractions.

You're looking at mixed woodland with decent footpaths that don't require any special planning. The paths are well-trodden but not overcrowded, which makes a change. It's good for walkers who want to log a solid hour without getting lost, and families with older kids will find it less staged than some Surrey beauty spots - no tea rooms, no visitor centre, no fuss. Younger children might get restless unless they're keen on spotting birds or collecting leaves.

The woodland feels properly old, with mature trees and a natural floor that's soft underfoot. On a grey day it's atmospheric rather than spectacular; on a sunny afternoon with patches of light filtering through, it earns its place on a walking itinerary.

If you're staying at Henfold Lakes just down the road, this makes sense as a morning walk before heading elsewhere. It's not a full-day outing on its own, but it combines well with Dorking's town centre or a longer circuit through the surrounding hills. Allow ninety minutes to two hours depending on how much you wander. No admission charge as far as locals can tell - it's public access woodland, the way these things should be.