Cycling Beddlestead Lane in the Snow, near Tatsfield, Surrey

 

A fairly gentle climb, with few cars, Beddlestead Lane is about 3km long and takes you up to one of the highest points on the North Downs.

Walking in Marden Park, near Woldingham, Surrey

 

Just south of Woldingham Station, a number of scenic circular walks climb up into the North Downs overlooking Woldingham School. You pass through patches of woodland that were once part of Marden Park Manor. William Wilberforce, campaigner for the abolition of slavery, lived here towards the end of the 18th century.

Gangers Hill, Woldingham, Surrey

On the ridge of the North Downs, bucolic Gangers Hill is a world away from the nearby M25 motorway, which you can glimpse through the trees far below. 

Mountain Biking in the North Downs, Kent-Surrey Borders

In the greenbelt land west of Biggin Hill airport, there are enough bridleways and country lanes to piece together a fun mountain bike ride. The Condor Cycles' Kent & Surrey Cyclo-Cross Ride does just that. Highlights include the Spitfire Bridleway, which cuts through some picturesque woodland in the rolling hills near the airport, the descent from Chelsham Court Road into lush farmland and sweeping views over Woldingham as you swoop down from Botley Hill. Later in the ride, the single track down through Frith Wood will get the pulse racing. Although you'll be on-road for much of the semi-circular route, the lanes are very picturesque in places, particularly near the ridge at the top of the North Downs.

Church Town, Godstone, Surrey

Built in 1872, the timber-framed almshouses of Church Town look a lot older. They were designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, a prolific Victorian architect who also worked on the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station, the Albert Memorial, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mountain biking around Leith Hill, Surrey

Leith Hill

From Dorking station, it is few miles ride by road over to Westcott, from where you can take a trail from behind the church up towards Leith Hill. You can climb gradually through Wotton Common following Wolvens Lane and the single track that runs in parallel. The steep final ascent up to Leith Hill is tough and technical - if you don't pick the right line or have to dodge walkers, you could well be pushing your bike up this stretch. Once you have stopped to take in the view, you can enjoy a descent down through Pasture Wood, before climbing up to Holmbury Hill, another great vantage point. From here, there is a fine, swooping, twisting and turning run down towards Peaslake. When the time is ripe, you can work your way back the way you came, admiring the verdant hills as you go. The single track riding around Leith Hill is a lot of fun.

Cycling Happy Valley, Old Coulsdon, Surrey

Riding from the south up Ditches Lane, you climb out of a patch of woodland into the uplifting open space that is Farthing Downs in the Happy Valley Park. From here, the short ride down to Coulsdon is both fast, except for the odd cattle grid, and picturesque. Far in the distance, you can just make out the clutch of skyscrapers in the City of London.

Walk at Dusk around Merrist Wood Golf Club, Surrey

Walks around Polesdon Lacey, Surrey

At the far end of Polesdon Lacey's car park, you'll find a big sign charting several colour-coded walks, varying in length from about 1.5 miles to 4.5 miles. Most of them take you down the steep hill into the Mole Valley that nestles between the Edwardian country house and Ranmore Common to the south west. Virtually devoid of any development, this Arcadian countryside contains the odd farmhouse and a charming Youth Hostel that looks like it belongs in the 1930s. It is hard to believe you are less than five miles from the M25 - London's heavily congested circular motorway. The longer walks climb up towards Ranmore Common, from where there are viewpoints back to the National Trust property. All the routes end up looping round through the bucolic woods and fields south east of Polesdon Lacey.  If you are National Trust members, you can stroll back to the car park via an 18th century belvedere on to the Long Walk, which leads to the foot of the lawn tumbling down from the elegant mansion. Lined on one side by a hedge, punctuated with white statues, and on the other, by woodland, this narrow lawn offers heart-warming views over the tranquil Mole Valley. 8/10

The Crown, Chiddingfold, Surrey

An extraordinarily well-preserved ancient inn, The Crown is first and foremost a timepiece. Although the fine old Tudor facade can be marred by the cars parked in front, the immaculate interior might take your breath away. This venerable old pub has a succession of beautifully atmospheric rooms with battered beamed ceilings, lead-paned windows, dark wooden panelling, faded old paintings and suitably distinguished furniture. If anything, it is all too perfect - it can feel like you have stumbled into a posh period drama set. Even the punters seem to dress in conservative garb in sober colours.

Stepping Stones Walk, Box Hill, Surrey

The Burford Spur

Although the National Trust's Stepping Stones Walk is only a couple of miles, it incorporates a very steep ascent and descent, plus plenty to look at, so you'll need more than an hour.  Next to the Burford Bridge Hotel, there is a public car park and a gate into some woodland at the foot of the Burford Spur - an open stretch of land that climbs up to Box Hill. As you haul yourself up the grassy slope, you'll pause to turn around and take in the sweeping views north. As you near the top, you'll be engulfed in more woodland surrounding an old fort. You emerge next to the bustling National Trust visitor centre, complete with cafe and toilets. If you buy a coffee, be aware that there aren't any litter bins on the rest of the walk.

Premier Inn, Gatwick North, Surrey

Just a short walk from Gatwick's North terminal, this new Premier Inn promises a good kip before an early flight. There are scores of rooms in the eight or nine floors rising above Gatwick's car parks. The Premier Inn puts a big emphasis on automation, but the check-in isn't that intuitive and you may need the help of the solitary receptionist. Decorated in Premier Inn's purple hue, the rooms themselves are large and quiet with comfortable beds and flat screen televisions. And there is in-room WiFi, but you have to pay for it. Frustratingly, you can't open the window and it can get stuffy even with the air conditioning chugging along.  The en-suite bathrooms are spacious, but utilitarian. Still, the Premier Inn is good value and you shouldn't miss your flight. 6/10

The Parrot Inn, Forest Green, Surrey

Well-located for a pit-stop during a walk or cycle ride, the Parrot Inn lies in the flattish countryside south of Leith Hill

A sprawling pub in the hamlet of Forest Green, The Parrot Inn has a couple of large beer gardens overlooking the vast village green. Inside is a warren of bars, snugs and a restaurant. Even on a sunny Saturday lunchtime, it can be easy to find a table, perhaps reflecting the fact that the food doesn't live up  to the prices.  For pub grub, the main courses are expensive and you need to buy side orders of vegetables on top. The beef burger (£12.85), served with red pepper, skinny fries and a beetroot salsa, can be lacklustre. Similarly, the chicken balti (about £12) can be bland - it needs fresh herbs, chutneys and more of a kick.  The rib eye steak, served with beef tomato, mustard butter and chips, is chunky, but it should be for almost £19. The best option may be the fish and chips (about £9), which is nicely cooked. But you get the same flimsy fries. Still, the Parrot has plenty of space, a broad selection of beers, lagers and ciders, including the fine Aspall, and the young staff make an effort. Better still, it is well placed for scenic walks or cycle rides up and down Leith Hill - the highest point in south east England. 6/10 

The White Horse, Shere, Surrey

An appealing timber-framed pub in the prosperous village of Shere, the White Horse has a warren of rooms and a large, plain garden. Owned by the Chef and Brewer chain, the food isn't expensive, but it can still be disappointing. Fish pie topped with cheese and potato (£8.75) isn't particularly large, while the salmon and prawns inside can be overcooked. The accompanying vegetables might suffer from the same problem and can be limp and tasteless. Still, the roasts look better and more substantial, particularly if you pay extra for the "go large" option. Moreover, some of the deserts will fill you up - the chocolate fudge cake (£4.40), served with a big dollop of ice cream or cream, is massive and moreish. On tap, are some cask-ales, plus standard lagers and ciders, such as Fosters and Strongbow. Service by the black-shirted "team members" is very friendly and cheerful, but the White Horse isn't a culinary experience. 6/10

The Merry Farriers, Hambledon, Surrey

A suitably rural period pub in an unusually bucolic corner of Surrey, the Merry Farriers is a good choice for a Sunday lunch with the kids. The big beer garden has an impressive wooden climbing frame and other apparatus, plus plenty of signs warning children about various hazards. Parents can keep a watchful eye from one of the sturdy wooden tables sheltered by sunshades. The respectable roasts are about £13.50 each. You get a decent slab of meat, roast potatoes, a passable Yorkshire pudding, green beans, spicy carrots, and cabbage swimming in salty gravy.  Other choices might include battered fish and chips with peas or a tartlet with goats cheese, peppers and olive bread, which is pretty tasty. Children can have a smaller portion of the adults meals for £7. On tap is Addlestones cider, London Pride and a changing selection of real ales. Despite the Merry Farriers' seeming preoccupation with health and safety, the young staff, overseen by a middle-aged barman, are both warm and chilled. 7/10

The Derby Arms, Epsom Downs, Surrey

A whitewashed and heavily-refurbished Victorian inn standing isolated on the edge of Epsom Downs near the racecourse, The Derby Arms is a very refined pub with a predictable racing theme. But the celebration of racehorses is retrained and just about every furnishing and fitting in this unusually-polished watering hole is the epitome of quality and taste. In the meticulously-decorated bar, for example, the smart leather sofas are padded out with plump embroidered cushions, while white circular stone tabletops rest on ornate cast-iron legs. There is also a restaurant area with striped high-backed chairs and large, striking prints of racehorses and their trainers. Behind the bar are laid-back, but helpful, young blokes, while the prosperous clientele seem to be a mix of old and new money. There is an extensive and reasonably-priced menu. But if you just want a snack, you can get a small bowl of  fat chips, topped with a big dollop of mayo, for just £2.50. The drinks are also competitively-priced, with a pint of rich and refreshing Aspall cider costing about £3.50. The Derby Arms is posh, but not too pretentious. 8/10

Cycling the Thames Down Link, south west London

Starting in Kingston-Upon-Thames, this well-signposted route is really designed for walkers, but much of its 15 miles can be cycled on an off-road bike to transfer from the sedate Thames Path to the challenging bridleways of the North Downs. The first half of the Thames Down Link is  mostly drab and dull. Although it follows the narrow, winding Hogsmill River, the path is often through suburban scrub land awash with nettles and you have to cross the A3 using a grim subway. But the route becomes more appealing when it follows broader paths through the more rural Horton Country Park, followed by Epsom Common and Ashtead Common. After cutting through well-kept Ashtead Park, you have to negotiate an upmarket housing estate and then cross over the M25. From here, the route is a very straight, but undulating, Roman road, making for some fun descents and stiff climbs. After working your way through pleasant deciduous woodland, you emerge near the pretty village of Mickleham, where you can get a much-needed drink in The Running Horses pub. 6/10 

The Running Horses, Old London Road, Mickleham, Surrey

Despite being just a few miles from the M25, The Running Horses has a convincing air of a rural pub deep in the English countryside. A popular watering hole in the prosperous village of Mickleham, this well-preserved sixteenth century coaching inn attracts a lot of walkers and cyclists taking on the heady heights of nearby Box Hill. It can also quickly fill up with scores of wedding guests having a swift drink before decamping to the church opposite. Inside, the decor is traditional and the young, self-assured bartenders (probably local public school boys) wear white shirts and ties. As well as a couple of cosy bars, there are some neat rows of wooden tables out front and a more formal dining room at the back. On a Sunday, you'll find a big pile of newspapers next to the old fireplace in the main bar and a selection of pricey roast meals (about £15) on the menu. But the broke or the budget-conscious can opt for the still-substantial roast beef baguette (£8.50), which is packed with plenty of sliced meat in gravy (plus mustard, if you want it) and served with a small pile of crisps and some lettuce. As well as the usual lagers, there is Adnams and London Pride on draught, while the Aspall cider, served in an odd, oversized port glass, is a refreshing option on a sunny day. 7/10

Cycling the North Downs, near Reigate, Surrey

Just off Reigate Hill, between the town and the M25 motorway, is a small National Trust car park with a refreshment kiosk and sweeping views overlooking the leafy suburbs of Reigate. Immediately west of the car park, the North Downs Way is categorised as a bridleway for several miles, which means you can cycle it. After threading its way through woodland, the route opens up, providing broad vistas of verdant green English countryside across an open field anchored by a neo-classical monument. You'll also pass an old fort designed to protect London from invaders and plenty of picturesque countryside. After a few miles, mountain bikers will have some fun as the North Downs Way starts to descend and narrow, linking up with several other bridleways in the Buckland Hills. Take the wrong turn and you might find yourself on a hair-raising descent, followed by an arduous climb back up to the ridge. If you keep heading west, you'll eventually hit a B road, which can take you to Box Hill, one of the highest points in the south east. 8/10

Walk through Happy Valley, near Coulsdon, Surrey

Follow Ditches Lane out of Coulsdon and park your car on the high ground of Farthing Down, which commands wide views over some rolling chalk downland and the ancient woodland of Happy Valley. The well-signposted walks take you into woods littered with fallen-trees, many covered in moss, surrounded in late spring by thousands of bluebells. Soon the trees give way to the open valley floor - a gentle and attractive green basin popular with local dog walkers. One of the paths leads across a couple of fields to a picturesque church dating from the eleventh century set in a longstanding graveyard in the hamlet of Chaldon. You can walk back through the valley for a pleasant round-trip of about three miles. Although Happy Valley is inside the M25 and you are never far from suburbia, at times it can feel as rural as anywhere in south east England. 7/10