Stubbits Wood

Stubbits Wood is a proper forest walk just outside Dorking, the sort of place where you actually feel like you've left the suburbs behind. It's dense woodland with decent footpaths that meander through beech and oak, giving you that satisfying crunch underfoot and enough greenery to properly clear your head. The walk itself takes about an hour depending on which trails you pick - nothing too demanding, but enough to work up an appetite.

This is really one for walkers and families after a decent stretch of legs rather than casual strollers. Kids do well here if they're the type who can manage uneven ground without complaining; the woodland floor keeps things interesting. There's something straightforward about it - no visitor centre, no café, just trees and air. That's either brilliant or a bit disappointing depending on what you're after.

Getting there from Dorking is straightforward, and if you're camping at Sands Farm, Riverside Farm or one of the other spots within five or six miles, it's a useful morning or afternoon option. Combines well with a proper woodland picnic if you've brought supplies from town. The wood's free to access, which is just how it should be, and there's no strict opening hours - it's the kind of place you visit when you fancy it.