Westcott

The North Downs Way cuts right through this Surrey village, bringing a steady stream of walkers who pause for refreshments before tackling the next section of ridge. Westcott sits in proper countryside, where ancient woodlands like Sylvanus Wood and Damphurst Wood stretch for miles along the chalk escarpment.

Bury Hill offers some of the finest views across the Weald - well worth the climb on a clear day. The village itself is quiet, with just a handful of shops and a good pub, but that's rather the point. This is walking country first and foremost.

History buffs will find plenty to explore. The WW2 Polish Training Trenches remain visible in the woodland, a fascinating reminder of wartime Surrey. Further afield, Abinger Motte provides evidence of much earlier occupation - this Norman earthwork is one of the best-preserved examples in the county.

Dorking lies just four miles south, easily reached by car or the regular bus service. From Westcott itself, footpaths lead in all directions through the Surrey Hills National Landscape. White Downs and Old park Hill are particularly good for an afternoon ramble.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks puts you right in the thick of the Surrey Hills walking network. Several glamping sites have opened recently, taking advantage of the stunning woodland setting. The area works brilliantly as a base for exploring the wider North Downs - you can walk to Box Hill in a morning or reach Leith Hill by lunchtime.