Hungry Hill

Sand paths wind through heather and gorse to what locals might generously call Surrey's answer to proper hill walking. At 172 metres, Hungry Hill won't trouble your lungs, but the sandy heath landscape feels surprisingly wild given you're barely 10 minutes from Farnham's high street.

Families with young children will find this spot ideal - the gentle slopes and soft terrain mean toddlers can roam freely without the usual cliff-edge anxieties. Dog walkers dominate the early morning scene, their charges bounding through the bracken with obvious joy. The summit itself delivers decent views across the Surrey Hills, though calling it dramatic would be pushing it.

What makes this hill worth the short walk is the landscape rather than the elevation. Lowland heath is increasingly rare, and the purple heather blooms beautifully in late summer. Birders often spot Dartford warblers and stonechats among the gorse bushes.

Allow an hour for the round trip from the car park off the A31. The paths can get boggy after rain, so proper walking boots help. Being so close to holiday parks like Hammonds Glamping and Horsley Camping makes it perfect for a quick morning stretch before breakfast - though teenagers might grumble about the early start.