Langley Vale Centenary Wood

A woodland walk planted a century ago to commemorate the First World War, Langley Vale Centenary Wood sits just outside Tadworth in Surrey. It's a straightforward spot - rows of mature trees with a decent path running through, the kind of place that's genuinely quiet on a weekday afternoon. You won't find playground equipment or visitor facilities here, which is either brilliant or disappointing depending on what you're after.

Walkers will find it worthwhile. The wood itself is peaceful, proper peaceful in the way most Surrey woodland is, and there's enough space to spend forty minutes to an hour wandering without feeling you've seen nothing. It's free to visit, though there's no official car park that I could find - you'll need to think about where you're leaving the car. The paths are manageable for families with older kids, though it's not a destination in itself; it's more something you'd fit in during a wider walk around the area.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Merrywood Park or Surrey Hills Park are both within a few miles of Tadworth - this makes a decent half-hour detour on a dry day. It won't blow your mind, but it's real woodland without the crowds you'd get at more famous Surrey spots. The memorial aspect gives it weight beyond the trees, which matters if you're someone who cares about that sort of thing.