Spankers Hill

The walk up Spankers Hill isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel your legs working by the time you reach the summit near Chessington. The views across Surrey's green belt are genuinely worth the effort - on a clear day you can see right across the county's rolling woodland, which beats spending an afternoon on the A243.

It's a proper spot for walkers who want something achievable without committing to a full day trek. You're looking at maybe 30 minutes up, same back down, so it works well if you're staying at Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site and fancy a leg-stretch before breakfast. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the gradient a bit much on the way up.

There's nothing fancy at the top - no café, no visitor centre, just open air and decent vistas. That's rather the appeal. Go early morning when the light's soft and you won't have crowds, though realistically this isn't the sort of place that gets mobbed anyway.

The real value here is as part of a wider Surrey walking loop rather than a destination in itself. Combine it with other local walks and you've got a genuine day out. It's free, it's accessible, and it delivers without pretension. If you're camped nearby and the weather looks decent, head up. You won't regret it.