Hogtrough Hill

The walk up Hogtrough Hill from Warlingham is steep enough that you'll feel it in your thighs, but the summit clears quickly once you're out of the trees. At 243 metres, it's hardly Alpine, but the view across Surrey's Green Belt sprawls out properly - you can see the North Downs rolling away, and on a decent day the London haze stays distant enough not to spoil things.

It's a short outing, really. Most walkers knock it out in under an hour from the car park, which means it works brilliantly as a morning before heading elsewhere or a quick leg-stretcher if you're based at Milberry Green Meadows nearby. The hill itself is ancient - there's proper history in those slopes, though the name's origin remains charmingly unclear. Could be badgers (hogs), could be geology. No one's entirely sure.

Families with primary-age kids will enjoy the actual climb - it's not a slog, just enough to feel like an achievement. Teenagers might find it forgettable after ten minutes at the top. Walkers after a longer route can extend the circuit through nearby woodland and the surrounding paths, which are reasonably maintained.

There's no café or facilities at the summit, so bring what you need. The ground's muddy after rain, which is most of the time in Surrey. Go mid-week if you can - weekends bring the local joggers and dog walkers in decent numbers. Free to access, naturally.