National Trust - Clandon Park

The grand house at Clandon Park burned down in 2015, which rather changes what you come here for these days. What remains is the Capability Brown-designed parkland - 300 acres of proper Surrey countryside with rolling lawns, mature trees, and the kind of open spaces that make you remember why the National Trust bothers with these places at all.

The grounds are excellent for a long walk, especially if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites like Hammonds Glamping or Chantry Wood. You can wander for hours without hitting a fence, and there's genuine peace here - the kind you don't get near London. Families won't spend all day, but a half-day ramble works perfectly well, and children who like climbing on things will find plenty of fallen logs and open ground to explore.

It's free to walk the park itself, though opening times and any car park charges aren't confirmed. Go early if you can - the grass holds dew until mid-morning and the light through the trees is lovely then. The loss of the house is a shame, obviously, but honestly, if you're on a park holiday in Surrey and the weather turns decent, this beats sitting around the caravan watching the clouds. It's the grounds that matter here, and they're worth the detour from Guildford.