Epsom Common

Eight hundred acres of open grassland and woodland rolling across Surrey's high ground - Epsom Common feels genuinely wild despite being just outside Chessington. You'll find yourself on proper downland here, the sort of place where the horizon stretches and you can actually breathe.

It's managed as a nature reserve, which means the scrubland and heather patches aren't there by accident. The mix of habitats supports a decent array of birds and insects if you're into that sort of thing. Walking is the main draw - there are multiple paths crisscrossing the common, some sandy tracks that'll bog out after rain, others firmer chalk paths. On a clear day the views across Surrey are genuinely worth the effort.

Walkers will get the most from it, especially if you're keen on longer rambles rather than quick twenty-minute loops. Dog owners come here regularly and it's clearly popular locally. The land rolls enough that it never feels flat, so it's more interesting than a slog across dead-straight moorland.

It's free to access and there's no ticketed visitor centre or café, so arrive prepared. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a proper circuit rather than a quick spin. Winter's decent for muddy walking, spring brings the wildflowers worth photographing.

Fits well with the nearby parks - Norbury Park and Merrywood Park are both within striking distance if you're camping in the area and want varied walking terrain across a few days.