National Trust - Bookham Commons

Bookham Commons is a National Trust country and woodland site in Surrey, geared more towards walking than full-on attraction mode. Reviewers mention several different routes, a fairly flat landscape, broadleaf woodland, rougher trails and a natural play area for children. There’s also a pond, bird hides and plenty of flora and fauna if your children are the sort who will actually look at a reed bed rather than sprint past it. What it does well is simple, outdoorsy family time. It sounds genuinely good for mixed ages: easy enough for younger children, interesting enough for older ones, and varied enough that you can choose a short loop or a longer leg-stretcher. Parking is free for National Trust members, which always helps the mood before you’ve even got out of the car. The downsides are the usual sensible-parent warnings: there are no refreshments or toilets mentioned in the reviews, the pond is not fenced off, and cyclists should expect dog walkers and loose dogs in the mix. It’s also more muddy nature reserve than polished day-out destination, so this is one for boots, not pristine trainers.