Puttenham Common

The heath opens up suddenly as you crest the final rise - all open grassland and silver birch, with hardly another soul in sight. Puttenham Common, just outside Guildford, is one of those Surrey spots that locals know but most visitors sail past on the way to somewhere flashier. It's genuine common land, meaning you're free to wander as you please across the rough grass and sandy tracks that crisscross the 265 acres.

This is walking country, pure and simple. The terrain is gentle enough for family rambles - no killer hills - but with enough variety to keep things interesting. You'll pass through patches of heather and gorse, cross quiet bridleways, and if you time it right in late summer, the heather blooms in sheets of purple. Allow two to three hours for a proper loop if you want to see the best bits without rushing.

Walkers and dog owners get the most from it. Children will enjoy it if they're the sort who like exploring rather than being entertained, though there's no playground or tearoom to anchor a family outing. The common is free, open year-round, and works brilliantly as a morning walk if you're based at one of the nearby lodges like Tilford Woods or Little Cowdray Farm - both within easy driving distance.

Weather matters here. Spring and autumn are cleanest underfoot. Winter can be boggy in patches, and summer weekends pull the crowds. Go on a weekday if you can. It won't blow your mind, but it's proper Surrey countryside that feels properly wild for ten minutes.