Keffold's Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist spot, Keffold's Copse sits just outside Godalming and feels like the kind of place locals have been quietly enjoying for decades without making a fuss about it. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter, the canopy does a decent job of blocking out the noise from the surrounding Surrey countryside, and if you time it right in autumn the colour is genuinely striking.

Walkers will get the most from this one - it's not a destination you tick off in twenty minutes. Allow a good hour to properly wander the paths without rushing, longer if you fancy sitting on a log and actually noticing what's around you. The undergrowth supports the usual woodland suspects: bluebells in spring, ferns that look prehistoric, birds that sound far more exotic than they probably are. Families with older kids will find it genuinely pleasant; younger ones might get restless unless you're the sort who can point out interesting fungi and hold their attention that way.

It's free to access and there's no formal visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is rather refreshing actually. From Godalming you're within easy reach of Little Cowdray Farm Glamping just 2.3 miles away if you're after somewhere to stay, and Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat is another option five miles on. Either makes a solid base for combining a few walks across this part of Surrey. Go on a weekday morning in late spring when the light filters through properly and there's barely anyone else there.