St Martha's Church

Perched on a steep hillside above the village of Chilworth, St Martha's Church commands views across the Surrey Weald that stop you dead in your tracks. This is a proper old structure - medieval foundations, later rebuilt - sitting so exposed on its hilltop that you feel like you're standing at the edge of something. The climb up is no joke: a footpath winds through woodland and then opens out onto bare slopes where the church sits almost defiantly against the elements.

Inside, it's small and quietly austere. You'll find some decent medieval stonework and bits of original fabric if you know what to look for, but this place isn't really about interior features. It's about the walk, the effort, and that moment when you crest the hill and see how far the views stretch.

History buffs will appreciate the age of it, but honestly, walkers and families with decent legs get the most from it. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the round trip from the car park below - longer if you dawdle. There's no cafe or facilities up here, so bring water. Go on a clear day when visibility is good; in mist and rain, you're just trudging uphill to sit in a cold church.

If you're based at Chantry Wood Campsite just down the road, this is a no-brainer for a morning walk. It's the sort of place that gives a holiday some actual purpose - exercise, views, and a bit of history tangled together.