Wooded ridges and heathy commons an hour from London, with gentle hills and paths made for an easy day out
Head south from London and the streets give way to greensand ridges, chalk downs and patches of open heath. The Surrey Hills cover 422 square kilometres, protected since 1958, and much of it is easy, well-signed walking that suits families and anyone building up their confidence on foot.
Leith Hill is Surrey’s high point and among the highest hills in south-east England, with a tower on top and long views over the Weald on a clear day. The North Downs Way runs along the chalk escarpment, and you can join it for a short stretch and turn back whenever you like. Down in the sandy country there’s Frensham Great Pond and the open heather of the Wealden Heaths.
Because it’s so close to town, the car parks and main paths fill up on fine weekends, so an early start or a weekday makes for a quieter walk. The clay paths, too, hold their mud well into spring.
