Belfairs Park

The moment you step into Belfairs Park near Benfleet, you realise this isn't some manicured nature reserve with information boards at every turn. It's genuinely wild - proper Essex woodland with marsh and grassland that feels like you've stumbled somewhere locals actually use rather than a tourist trap.

The reserve covers 150-odd acres and the walking is straightforward enough for families, though the paths can get boggy after rain so come prepared. You'll spot common woodland birds, butterflies if you time it right in summer, and the occasional deer if you're lucky enough. The marsh areas give it variety - it's not just trees, which keeps things interesting over a longer walk.

Historically types will find it worth a visit simply because it's one of the few remaining pieces of the ancient Essex landscape. Most of this county got flattened years ago, so what's left matters. Allow a couple of hours if you want to do the full circuit without rushing.

It's free to access, which helps given the nearby Haven Holiday Park is a solid enough base for a week on the Kent coast. If you're staying there with kids, this makes a decent morning out before heading to the beaches proper. Birdwatchers should visit spring or autumn when migration brings rarer species through. Winter's quieter but honestly, that's when it feels most like proper woodland.