Tandridge Hill

The walk up Tandridge Hill from Warlingham takes about twenty minutes if you're reasonably fit, longer if you dawdle - which you probably will. The summit sits at 358 metres, which doesn't sound dramatic until you're standing there looking out across the Surrey Weald with the North Downs rolling away behind you. On a clear day you can see properly far.

It's a straightforward woodland walk, mostly through beech and oak, with enough gentle gradient to feel like you've earned the view without your legs screaming at you. The path's well-trodden and fairly obvious, though a proper map wouldn't go amiss if visibility drops. Bring the kids if they're capable walkers - nothing technical about it, and they'll enjoy poking about in the trees.

There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities up top. That's rather the point. You get the hill, the air, and the space to yourself more often than not. Go midweek in autumn or early spring if you want genuine quiet. Summer weekends attract families from across Surrey.

Pair this with a stay at Milberry Green Meadows just under three miles away - proper campsite with decent facilities - and you've got yourself a proper walking base. Alderstead Heath Caravan and Motorhome Club is another option if you're in a van. Neither are fancy, both are well-positioned for exploring the North Downs properly. The hill itself is free and takes roughly an hour round trip if you stop for the view.