Craigs Wood

The woodland around Godalming feels proper ancient, all gnarled oaks and soft forest floor that's been walked for centuries. Craigs Wood gives you that same sense - it's the sort of place where you half expect to bump into a woodsman rather than a crowd of weekend ramblers, though you probably will. The trees are tall enough to make you feel small, and there's enough variation in the paths to keep things interesting without requiring proper navigation skills.

Walkers will get the most from it. Children who like adventure will too, though you'll need to manage expectations - there's no playground or visitor centre, just trees and trails. The forest floor can be muddy after rain, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood and footwear. Allow two hours for a decent explore, maybe ninety minutes if you're just stretching your legs.

It's free to access, as far as anyone can tell, and there's no formal opening hours business - you turn up when you want. The real value here is it's a proper escape that doesn't require climbing into the car and driving for hours. If you're staying at Little Cowdray Farm Glamping just down the road, this is a solid morning walk before breakfast. Even from Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, it's close enough for a side trip without the drive eating into your day. Nothing fancy, nothing staged - just a wood that's been doing its job for a very long time.