Gadbrook Copse

A patch of proper woodland just outside Tadworth that doesn't pretend to be anything grander than it is. Gadbrook Copse gives you ancient trees, a network of paths that wind through thick undergrowth, and the genuine quiet you're after when the South East feels too crowded. Most people miss it entirely, which is fine by us.

It's the kind of place where children can actually run about without you losing sight of them, but where older walkers will appreciate the sense of being properly into the trees rather than on some managed loop. The paths vary - some are well-trodden and straightforward, others narrow and a bit muddy even when it hasn't rained much. Bring decent boots.

You're looking at 45 minutes to an hour for a decent explore, maybe longer if you potter. Free to access, no facilities to speak of, and that's rather the point. It works brilliantly as a morning walk before heading elsewhere, or a quiet interlude if you're camping at the Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby - that's roughly six miles away and saves you the drive into busier attractions.

Winter and spring are when this place actually shines. Summer brings the flies and the crowds (well, more of them anyway), and autumn feels obligatory. Come when the light's low and the paths are damp. You'll understand why it matters.