Thorn Hill

The walk up Thorn Hill takes about twenty minutes from Farnham if you know where you're going - and honestly, most people don't. It's not the sort of destination that announces itself. You're climbing roughly 200 metres through proper Surrey countryside, woods thick with birch and oak, until suddenly you break through and the views open up across the Weald. On a clear day you can see for miles.

This is walker territory, no question. The summit itself is modest - there's a trig point and enough flat ground to sit and eat a sandwich - but the vantage point makes it worthwhile. Families with reasonably fit children will manage it fine; younger kids might find it a bit of a slog for the reward. The trail's well-trodden and fairly straightforward, though it does get muddy in winter.

There's nothing up here - no cafe, no facilities, no visitor centre nonsense. You're paying nothing and getting what you'd expect: trees, air, and a decent view. That's rather the point. Allow an hour to hour and a half for the round trip depending on fitness and how long you linger.

If you're basing yourself at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat nearby, this makes a proper morning out - close enough to walk to easily, far enough away to feel like you've actually gone somewhere. The real appeal is the straightforwardness of it all. No crowds, no ticket machines, just a decent hill with a decent view.