Shalford Park

The River Wey cuts through Shalford Park like a ribbon, and on a decent day you can walk for miles along its banks without seeing much of anything except water meadows and the odd heron. It's a proper nature reserve - the kind of place where you're more likely to hear something than see it, at least until a muntjac deer crashes through the undergrowth and reminds you this isn't just a manicured country walk.

The park sprawls across the Surrey Hills, south of Guildford, and works best if you're already camping nearby - Chantry Wood Campsite is only just over a mile away, making it ideal for early morning or evening walks when the light's actually interesting. The meadows flood in winter, which is excellent for watching winter birds, though muddy boots are non-negotiable. Summer brings insects and wildflowers, and honestly, the whole thing rewards you for paying attention. You won't find a cafe or visitor centre here. This is the opposite of that.

Walkers will get the most from it - families with young kids might struggle with the longer stretches, though there are shorter circuits. The mix of open meadow and riverside woodland means you can choose your route depending on mood and energy levels. Allow an hour minimum to make it worthwhile, though two or three hours is when it actually opens up. Free to access, naturally. It's not dramatic or Instagram-friendly, but that's precisely why it works. The closer holiday parks at Chapel Farm and Edgeley mean you've got a solid base for exploring the wider Surrey countryside without leaving civilization entirely.