Stoke Hill

The walk up Stoke Hill is a proper little leg-burner, but the effort pays off once you reach the summit near Guildford. It's not a dramatic peak - Surrey doesn't do dramatic - but the views across the Weald are genuinely worth the climb, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles across rolling farmland and woodland.

The ascent takes the best part of an hour depending on your fitness, and the path gets steep in places. This isn't a stroll for toddlers, but teenagers and proper walkers will find it satisfying. The surrounding woodland is lovely in spring and autumn, and there's something genuinely peaceful about being up here above the commuter belt.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Chantry Wood Campsite or Chapel Farm Park are both within a couple of miles - this makes an excellent half-day excursion. Pack a picnic and you've got a solid few hours sorted. The walk itself is free, and you can do it dawn to dusk whenever you fancy.

Honestly, it's not going to blow your mind if you've hiked proper mountains. But if you're based around Guildford for a park holiday and want to stretch your legs without travelling too far, Stoke Hill delivers. The views aren't Instagram-famous, and that's rather the point. It's just a solid, honest walk that reminds you why the Surrey Hills deserve their name.