Scarp Hill

The walk up Scarp Hill from Guildford takes about an hour if you're not racing, and it's one of those Surrey climbs that feels proper rewarding without being a slog. The summit isn't dramatic - no sudden reveal, no panoramic sweep - but on a clear day you get decent views across the Weald, and the chalk grassland at the top has that open, breezy feel you want from a hill walk.

It's worth doing if you're the sort who enjoys steady forest paths and doesn't need a trig point or a café at the summit to feel satisfied. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the final push tedious. History buffs won't find much to get excited about, though the surrounding area has its Bronze Age barrows if you're keen on that sort of thing.

Go in late morning to avoid the worst of the crowds on weekends. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets muggy and muddy. Free to walk, naturally. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

If you're staying at Chapel Farm Park or Wyldecrest Surrey Hills, this makes a solid morning outing before heading back for lunch. It's close enough to Guildford that you could combine it with a proper look around town, though the hill itself is really the draw. Not life-changing, but a solid bit of walking country.