Gravelpit Hill

The walk up Gravelpit Hill takes you through proper Surrey woodland before spitting you out on a bare hilltop with views that stretch towards the Weald. It's not dramatic - you won't find dramatic in Surrey - but it's satisfying in the way a good afternoon ramble should be. The climb itself is straightforward, nothing that will leave you gasping, and the summit gives you a genuine sense of having got somewhere without needing your Alpine boots.

This is walker territory, full stop. History buffs and peak-baggers will enjoy the walk, families with young kids might find the payoff modest for the effort, though it's doable if you're a regular hill-going household. Allow a couple of hours there and back from Guildford, which sits just a few miles south - easy enough as a half-day outing or combined with a walk down to the Tilford area.

There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, which is rather the point. If you're staying at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat - a cracking spot for a caravan holiday - this works nicely as a morning walk before heading back to base. Chapel Farm Park is similarly close by and well-rated, so there's decent accommodation nearby for those planning a longer Surrey Hills exploration. Go on a clear day if you can. Mist rolls in frequently and ruins what little drama the summit manages.