Alexandra Recreation Ground

Alexandra Recreation Ground sits just outside Chessington and does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a proper local nature reserve where you can actually see what passes for wildlife in suburban Surrey. Walk the paths through the grassland and woodland edge, and you'll spot the usual suspects: blackbirds, robins, the occasional sparrowhawk if you're lucky. It's modest, but it works.

This is the sort of place to spend an hour or so if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Norbury Park or Surrey Hills Park - a gentle ramble rather than a destination in itself. Kids might manage a circuit without complaining, though it won't keep them entertained all afternoon. The ground is fairly open so there's nowhere to hide from the weather, and on a grey Surrey day it can feel a bit bleak. But if you want a straightforward walk and a bit of fresh air without the fuss of a proper country estate, it'll do the job.

The trails are accessible enough for families, and there's no reported admission charge, which keeps things refreshingly uncomplicated. Best visited on a clear morning when the light's decent and the birds are actually doing something worth watching. Stick it in as a secondary spot during a wider exploration of the area rather than planning a dedicated trip.