Ramster Gardens

Spring at Ramster Gardens, just outside Godalming, is when this place really earns your attention. The rhododendrons and azaleas come into their own across 30-odd acres of proper woodland garden - colour cascading down slopes in a way that photographs never quite capture. You'll walk winding paths through dense shrub planting, emerging into clearings where the views open up over the Surrey countryside. It's peaceful rather than showy, which suits it.

The gardens work best for plant enthusiasts and anyone who genuinely enjoys a proper woodland walk. If you're after manicured lawns and specimen plantings, look elsewhere. Children might find a single hour adequate before the walks start to feel samey - there's no playground or café to break things up, and the paths aren't thrilling for young legs. Allow two hours if you're moving at a normal pace and actually stopping to appreciate things.

You're within easy reach of several excellent glamping options - Little Cowdray Farm and Glamping Holiday are both under five miles away and highly rated. Care Ashore Campsite on the Springbok Estate works too if you want a more traditional base. These make sensible launching points for a few days exploring this part of Surrey.

Best visit April through June when the flowering peaks. Check opening times and admission fees in advance - details weren't readily available. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow morning rather than a rushed afternoon tick-box.