With the glorious autumn colours starting to emerge, now is the time to get outdoors and explore the beautiful Surrey countryside.

 However, with recent National Trust research revealing that 1 in 6 Britons never walk more than 500m from their car, Polesden Lacey is challenging the residents of Surrey to prove that they are more energetic than the rest of the country! As part of the National Trust’s Great British Walk, in partnership with Pru Health, the first ever Surrey Hills Challenge will take place on Saturday 12 October. The full route is 23 miles and links three of the area’s iconic high spots – Leith Hill, Box Hill and Ranmore. There will also be two shorter circuits – one between Leith Hill and Ranmore of 16 miles, and one to Box Hill of 13 miles, so anyone can take part, whatever their level of fitness. There will even be a 5 mile family loop.

All routes start at the Polesden Lacey car park which will be open from 6.30am to give everyone a chance to finish their chosen walk before it gets dark. There will be checkpoints along the routes offering free water, toilets and first aid support. Please register in advance on 01372 452048. Registration fee is £15 per person, or £5 per family for the short family route. Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a memento.

Full information is available from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey (we spotted one of the links doesn’t work, so maybe keep trying!)