National Trust - Winkworth Arboretum

The moment you walk through the gates at Winkworth, you're surrounded by trees - and I mean properly surrounded. This National Trust arboretum sits just outside Guildford and sprawls across enough woodland to make you forget you're anywhere near Surrey suburbs. The whole point is the trees themselves: rare specimens, mature specimens, specimens you won't see anywhere else without a passport. There are lakes threaded through the grounds, which adds that reflective, peaceful quality that makes arboretums feel less like botany lessons and more like actual walks.

You'll find it most rewarding if you care about plants and woodland structure. Serious horticulturists could spend a full day here identifying species and checking labels. Families with young kids might get restless after 90 minutes - it's not a playground, and there's no tearoom or facilities to speak of that I could find. Walkers, though? Walkers will absolutely love it. The paths are well-maintained, the terrain is gentle, and you can easily loop back on yourself if you've had enough.

It's free to enter if you're a National Trust member, otherwise there's a small admission fee. Allow a couple of hours minimum, longer if you're the type who reads every plaque. Late spring and autumn are the obvious times - spring for the flowering specimens, autumn for colour. The nearby holiday parks at Firesyde and Chantry Wood Campsite put you within striking distance for a proper walking week around Guildford's parks and countryside.