Top walks in Surrey

If you’re in need of a leg-stretch this spring, you’ll find no shortage of trails in Surrey. Here are our top walks from all around the county from Polesden Lacey to Hindhead Commons, Winkworth Arboretum to Leith Hill.

Warmer spring days mean you can shed a few layers, and it's also the time of year when you can experience the world waking up around you – from tiny green shoots pushing up through the soil, to birds nesting in hedgerows and trees bursting into leaf.

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Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Visiting this spring

Our gardens, parks and countryside sites are open. In England our shops are open, along with outdoor seating at cafés. In Wales some shops are open, and cafés are offering a takeaway service. Houses and other indoor areas are currently closed. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority. We strongly advise booking your visits in advance, especially over the Easter holidays when places may be very busy. Please check the property webpage before you visit and follow government guidance on travel.

More details on what's open

Best places for spring walks in Surrey

Daffodils in front of the house at Hatchlands

Winkworth Arboretum

Winkworth really comes to life in spring, with the magnolia blooms joined by cherry blossom and drifts of bluebells. The azalea walk is a mass of colour at the end of April, lining the path to the boathouse which overlooks the lake.

Spring walks at Polesden Lacey

Whether you are an early bird, in search of bluebells, or simply want to take a moment to breathe in and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the surrey hills: we have the perfect walk for you.

Hatchlands Park

Get your boots on this spring, gather up the family and the dog, and head to Hatchlands. Find blossom lined paths, picnic benches surrounded by daffodils and carpets of bluebells. All set in 400 acres of unspoiled parkland.

Claremont Landscape Garden

Visit Claremont between January and April and you'll come across delicate camellias in bloom, creating a bright display of colour. These blossoming plants are a welcome burst of life while the rest of the garden is still preparing for spring.

Polesden Lacey

Step beyond the formal gardens to explore Ranmore Common and find blankets of bluebells in the copses that line our four way-marked walks. Pick up a walks leaflet for £1 from visitor reception or why not download our Big Walk.

West Surrey walks

walker at Hindhead Commons and The Devils Punch Bowl

Hidden Hindhead Walking Trail

This is a lovely walk, crossing the old A3 and taking in some spectacular views - you may see ponies or cattle grazing the scrub and on a clear day views of the distant London skyline.

Octavia Hill walk around Hydon's Ball and Heath

Enjoy a short exhilarating circular walk through cool shady woodland and across open heathland; a perfect walk for energetic exploring families.

The wildnerness garden known as Abinger Roughs

Abinger Roughs nature walk

Take an easy stroll around our nature trail and follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin.

Runnymede walks

The Heathland at Simons Wood, Finchampstead Ridges, Surrey

Simon's Wood centenary walk at Finchampstead Ridges

Explore Simon's Wood wet woodland and lowland heath habitats, providing an increasingly rare habitat for many birds and invertebrates. An easy level walk great for little legs.

Visitors walking up the steps leading to the Kennedy Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey

Egham to Runnymede countryside circular walk

Wander through ancient woodlands, secretive wetlands and wildflower meadows that are home to the birthplace of the Magna Carta.

Visitor admiring the ruins of St Mary's Priory at Ankerwycke, Surrey

The Park circular walk at Ankerwycke, Runnymede

A very leisurely stroll through the park at Ankerwycke on gentle terrain. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Polesden Lacey and Denbies Hillside walks

A beautiful view down a hillslope. Autumnal trees can be seen.

The Polesden Lacey big walk

Take in views over the Surrey Hills and our 1,400 acre estate on our big walk through ancient woodlands, historic farmsteads and rolling downland. This trail is not signposted on the estate.

Polesden Lacey to Denbies Hillside ramble

Travel through some beautiful ancient woodland and enjoy stunning views at Denbies Hillside as you follow the circular route from Polesden Lacey across Ranmore Common. This trail is not signposted on the estate.

Denbies Hillside nature walk

Enjoy an exhilarating walk across Denbies Hillside (named after John Denby, a 17th-century farmer) and discover our wildlife along the way.

Surrey Hills East walks

Headley Heath circuit

Enjoy stunning views on this moderate walk over some uneven terrain of open heathland, woodland and chalk downland.

View over escarpment of North Downs from Reigate Fort

Margery Wood, Walton Heath and Colley Hill walk

Enjoy a walk through woodland, heathland and onto Colley Hill with a well-earned stop at the pub on the way. Fairly flat ground, can be muddy in places.

Outwood Common wildflower meadow is a haven for butterflies and bees

Outwood Common walk at Harewoods

Enjoy a refreshing walk through cool, shady woodland and across open farmland. See what the farmers are growing in their fields and discover an enchanting hidden pond.

River Wey walks

River Wey walks: Dapdune Wharf to St Catherine's

Walk along the River Wey from Dapdune Wharf to St Catherine’s and see how the river has cut through the North Downs making Guildford an important ‘gap town’ and experience some spectacular views along the way.

River Wey walks: Papercourt Lock to Triggs Lock

An attractive and easy countryside walk in Send, where the River Wey Navigations has its workshops.

Wey Walks: Dapdune Wharf to Cartbridge Wharf

Take in some of the most remote parts of the Wey Navigation on our walk that follows the towpath along the boundary of Sutton Place and passes Stoke Mill.

Box Hill walks

Box Hill Stepping Stones walk

Enjoy the views of the Surrey Hills, pass by one of Box Hill's oldest buildings, the Fort, and take in one of Surrey's iconic landmarks, the Stepping Stones. There are over 200 steps to climb on this walk; please wear stout footwear as the walk can be muddy.

Sun setting over a view of Broadwood's Tower at Box Hill, Surrey

Box Hill Happy Valley circular walk

The route takes in some of Box Hill's hidden woodland and Broadwood's Tower, with some wonderful views of the Surrey countryside along the way - there are a series of steep steps part way round this route.

The natural play trail at Box Hill Surrey

Box Hill's Natural Play Trail

Our Natural Play Trail is full of hidden surprises and opportunities for you to practise everything from balancing to den making. This easy two-mile level walk is great for adventurous toddlers. After rain the pathway can be very muddy - please wear appropriate footwear.

Leith Hill walks

A child stares up the trunk of a giant redwood tree at Leith Hill in Surrey

Leith Hill woodland walk

The area around Leith Hill is one of the highest points in the south east of England and boasts some pretty fantastic views of the South Downs and to the north, the London skyline.

The Rhododendron Wood at Leith Hill, Surrey

Leith Hill Rhododendron Wood Walk

A glorious springtime stroll to see the myriad colours of rhododendrons, azaleas and bluebells in this peaceful woodland at the foot of Leith Hill.

Leith Hill Bluebell walk

This short walk around Frank's wood on Leith Hill presents you with a breath-taking array of bluebells. The walk is easy to follow - simply follow the pretty pink topped posts.

Butterfly walks

Box Hill butterfly walk long route

Enjoy the sweeping areas of woodland and grassland paddocks on the Butterfly walk at Box Hill, one of the richest areas for butterflies in Britain.

Headley Heath butterfly walk

A ramble through woodland and heathland on acidic soils, which leads you out onto chalk downland turf before returning onto heathland and back into woodland.

The Bookham Common butterfly walk

Bookham Common is a favoured home for the rare and magnificent Purple Emperor butterfly. This is due to decades of work by our rangers to protect the specialist habitats it needs. This walking trail takes you through one of the best woods in England for sighting the elusive Purple Emperor butterfly.

Best places to see autumn colour in Surrey

A path winding past a red acer tree in autumn splendour

A visitor taking photographs in the woodland in autumn at Polesden Lacey

Mist rising from the water of the River Wey at dawn

Girls playing in autumn leaves at Box Hill, Surrey

Visitors enjoying the autumn leaves at Belton House, Lincolnshire

Winkworth Arboretum

When autumn arrives, Winkworth Arboretum bursts into colour, its yellows, oranges and reds painting a breathtaking picture across the landscape. For the best views follow the signposted trails and seek out the viewpoints on the edge of the Magnolia Wood, the top of the Azalea Steps, the lakeside boathouse and the eastern Meadow

Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common

Travel through some golden ancient woodland and enjoy stunning views, along the circular routes from Polesden Lacey across Ranmore Common.

Hatchlands Park

See the whole of Hatchlands in one walk. This circular walk follows the edge of our park through woodland, in all its autumn colours, and open parkland with distant views of our house and the wider Surrey countryside.

Dapdune Wharf to St Catherine's

The autumn mists on the River Wey are a quietly beautiful sight. Walk from Dapdune Wharf to St Catherine’s and see how the river has cut through the North Downs. Experience some peaceful views along the way.

Autumn walks across the Surrey Hills

Savour the sights, smells and sounds of autumn with a walk in the Surrey Hills. Bring the family, the dog, a kite, a picnic and enjoy nature's glory. Here are some of our favourite strolls.

Six things to see on an autumn woodland walk

An autumn woodland glowing with colour and rich with the smell of damp earth is a wonderful place to be. National Trust Ranger Chloe Bradbrooke suggests six mini wonders of nature to look out for on an autumn woodland walk.