Meadowbank Playpark

The woodland paths at Meadowbank Playpark near Tadworth wind through proper Surrey countryside - nothing pretentious, just good honest forest with enough open space that kids won't feel boxed in. It's a nature reserve rather than a manicured play area, which means the "playground" element is whatever you make of it: fallen logs to balance on, streams to paddle in if the weather's been wet, and clearings where you can actually see sky.

This works best for families who don't mind a bit of mud and genuinely want to tire children out rather than have them queue for swings. Expect to spend two hours here without rushing, though you could do it in one if the kids are flagging. The paths are manageable even with pushchairs on drier days, though it's hardly the flattest walk in Surrey.

Being free and accessible makes it excellent for cottage holiday types - you're never more than a 15-minute drive from Surrey Hills Yurts or Henfold Lakes if you're basing yourself in the area and want a break that costs nothing. It's the sort of place you'd pop to between breakfast and a proper lunch destination, rather than build an afternoon around.

Check local council websites before you go for any seasonal closures or maintenance work. It's one of those spots that's genuinely lovely when you stumble across it, but nobody gets excited about writing about it - and that's precisely why it's worth knowing about.