Alfred Wood

The woodland around Alfred Wood, just outside Ashford, isn't going to blow your mind with dramatic vistas or rare species. What it offers instead is straightforward: a decent patch of ancient forest where you can actually walk without bumping into crowds. The trees are old and substantial, the paths reasonably maintained, and if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping sites - Go Glamp, Wildside, or Wood View Farm - it's convenient enough for a morning leg-stretch.

Walkers will get the most from this. Bring proper boots if it's been wet, as the ground can be boggy in places. An hour covers the main routes comfortably; two hours if you're the type who stops to identify fungi or listen for woodpeckers. Kids under eight might find it a bit samey unless they're into building dens and splashing in muddy patches.

It's free to access, which helps. The nearest facilities are back in Ashford town centre, so plan accordingly. Don't arrive expecting signposting or facilities - this is a working forest, not a visitor attraction with a car park and a café.

Within a glamping trip around Ashford, Alfred Wood slots in nicely as a break between the garden visits and the drive to Rye or the coast. It's the sort of place that justifies getting out of your bell tent or shepherd's hut, but you won't regret it if you skip it for somewhere with more going on. Real value if you're already staying nearby.