Bentley Copse

A proper woodland walk just outside Guildford, Bentley Copse offers the kind of quiet forest that Surrey does well - mixed broadleaf trees, damp undergrowth, and enough trails to keep you occupied for a couple of hours without feeling like you're trudging through a nature reserve maze. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is actually part of its charm. You turn up, you walk, you leave.

It's ideal for families who want their kids burning off energy in the woods without needing a massive destination to aim for. Walkers will find it worth linking with other local routes around Guildford - it works as a proper ramble rather than a standalone tick-box visit. Dog owners absolutely love it, and on a decent day, it genuinely feels like you've escaped the town entirely, even though you're barely a couple of miles out.

Go in spring or early autumn when the ground isn't waterlogged and the insects aren't at peak annoyance. Winter's fine too if you don't mind mud. Summer gets busy and the flies can be relentless. Allow two to three hours if you're actually exploring rather than just rushing through.

If you're based at Edgeley Holiday Park - the closest option at just over a mile away - this is your obvious morning stroll. For those staying further out at Chantry Wood Campsite or Surrey Hills Yurts, it's worth the drive if you want something low-key and free. Parking's the usual roadside scramble you get with woodland in the South East.