Tadworth

Victorian railway magnates built their grand estates here for good reason - Tadworth sits perfectly positioned between the Surrey Hills' rolling chalk downs and London's commuter belt. This leafy town feels properly suburban yet surprisingly rural, with the North Downs rising dramatically just to the south.

Box Hill looms large here, quite literally. The famous viewpoint at Salomons offers cracking views across the Weald, while the more adventurous can tackle Juniper Hill for equally impressive vistas without the crowds. Stepping Stones provide a lovely riverside walk, though they're a bit of a trek from the town centre.

Dorking, just a few miles south, anchors this corner of Surrey with proper shops and the excellent Dorking Museum. The town's three railway stations - Dorking, Dorking West, and Dorking Deepdene - make it dead easy to reach from London, though you'll want a car to explore the surrounding countryside properly.

Walkers rave about this area, and rightly so. The Natural Play Trail offers family-friendly rambling, while more serious hikers can follow the North Downs Way past historic sites like the Ramblers' 1939-45 Memorial Bridge. Lodge Hill provides another excellent summit, less touristy than Box Hill but equally rewarding.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense here. You're within easy reach of both the Surrey Hills National Landscape and London's attractions, yet far enough from the M25 madness to actually relax. The mix of glamping spots like Surrey Hills Yurts and traditional touring parks means there's something for every camping style, all within striking distance of some of southern England's finest walking country.