Holmbury Hill

The walk up Holmbury Hill rewards you with views across the Weald that justify the leg work. It's not a massive peak - 857 feet - but the climb from Dorking is proper steep in places, and the final push through woodland feels longer than the distance suggests.

What you get at the top is the real thing: a genuine Iron Age hill fort with ramparts still visible, plus a trigonometry point and enough space to sit with a flask and actually see for miles. The fort itself is low-key - no reconstructions or visitor centre, just the earthworks - which works in its favour. History types will appreciate the genuine article rather than some polished interpretation.

Allow 90 minutes return from the car park at Holmbury St Mary. The path is clear but muddy after rain, and the final ascent is genuinely taxing if you're not used to it. Children who enjoy climbing will get something out of it; those after an easy stroll might find it a slog.

Timing matters here. Early morning beats afternoon - fewer walkers and better light for photography. The slopes face south so it catches proper sun in winter, which helps when temperatures dip.

It slots well into a Surrey Hills base. Camp at The Green Escape or Surrey Hills Yurts nearby and you can hit Holmbury alongside other walks in the area. The Dorking surround has plenty going on, so it's not a one-trick stop.