National Trust - Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl Cafe

The Devil's Punch Bowl is exactly what the name suggests - a proper geological drama carved into the Surrey hills. This National Trust site near Godalming sits on Hindhead Commons, where a sudden depression in the landscape looks like something punched straight down into the earth. It genuinely is striking, especially on a clear day when the light catches the slopes.

The main draw is walking. Trails crisscross the commons with varying difficulty, from gentle loops around the bowl itself to longer hikes across open heathland. The paths are well-maintained and the views across Hampshire and Sussex can be tremendous if you time it right - get there before the mist rolls in on damp afternoons. The cafe serves decent coffee and cake, which matters when you've done a couple of hours on your feet.

It works best for walkers and families keen on a morning's ramble rather than sitting down for hours. Kids aged eight and up will find it interesting; younger ones might lose interest once they've seen the bowl itself. Allow two to three hours for a proper explore. Free admission, naturally - it's National Trust commons.

Stay at Little Cowdray Farm Glamping or Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat nearby, both five-star rated, and you've got an excellent base for a few days of Surrey walking. Combine it with Frensham Church Common just down the road for a proper country break. Go midweek if you can - weekends draw the crowds from London.