Oxshott Heath

The heathland spreads across 330 acres of sandy soil and birch woodland just outside Cobham, and it's the sort of place where you can actually breathe properly. Gorse and heather dominate the open bits, with ponds dotted about that attract dragonflies and the occasional heron if you're quiet enough. The walking network is decent without being exhausting - you can potter around for 45 minutes or spend a couple of hours if you fancy proper exploration.

Walkers will find this genuinely rewarding, particularly in late summer when the heather blooms purple. Families with younger kids might get 90 minutes out of it before restlessness sets in; older children into wildlife will hang around longer, especially near the ponds. The sandy tracks mean it's fine underfoot even after rain, though it gets boggy in the wettest patches. There's a real sense of having escaped despite being within easy reach of Cobham.

Park it up at one of the nearby sites - Norbury Park sits comfortably just 4.6 miles away, while the Horsley Camping and Caravanning Club Site is rated exceptionally well at 5.0 stars if you want a proper base. The heath itself costs nothing to access and has no formal opening hours, so you can turn up and get walking whenever suits. Go midweek in autumn if you want solitude; weekends fill up with locals who clearly know it's worth the visit.