National Trust - Leith Hill Place

The climb up Leith Hill rewards you with the widest views in Surrey - and on a clear day, you can see all the way to the South Downs. It's a proper Victorian house with rooms stuffed full of period detail, but honestly, most visitors come for the walk and the landscape rather than lingering over the furniture.

The National Trust property sits at the highest point in South East England, which sounds grander than it is until you're actually up there breathing in the vista. The tower adds another 64 feet if you fancy more effort for your money. Walking from Dorking takes about an hour depending on your pace, and the paths are well-marked through beech woodland - proper good for families who don't mind a steady climb with children.

Allowing three hours covers the house, the grounds, and a gentle wander without rushing. It's free to roam the grounds if you're members, though the house itself costs entry. Spring and early autumn beat summer when everyone's piled in with the same idea.

If you're camping nearby - The Green Escape is barely half a mile away, making this a natural pairing for a Surrey break - you can tackle Leith Hill early, grab lunch in Dorking, then move on to Box Hill or Abinger Roughs the same afternoon. It's the sort of place that anchors a longer stay rather than a standalone destination, but the view does justify the effort.