Box Hill

The lowdown

Box Hill is the easiest proper countryside escape from London, a chalk down rising out of the Surrey Hills with a famous viewpoint over the Weald, all free and looked after by the National Trust. Cross the River Mole on the stepping stones and climb up through the woods to the top.

From the summit the paths spread out for miles past ancient yew and box woodland, and the view south runs for thirty miles on a clear day. Bring boots and a picnic and you have a full free day's walking an hour from Waterloo.