Brickhouse Wood

Brickhouse Wood sits just outside Canterbury, a proper working forest rather than a manicured nature reserve. You get decent woodland walks through mixed trees - nothing dramatic, but solid enough for a couple of hours if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Canterbury Lodges or Glamping at Preston Court.

It's the sort of place you go when you want to stretch your legs without overthinking it. The paths are manageable, though muddy patches catch you out after rain. Dog walkers seem to love it, and families with younger kids won't find it overwhelming - no major hills or confusing junctions to worry about.

What you get out of it depends entirely on your pace. Rush through and you're done in 45 minutes. Actually stop to spot birds or take the quieter side paths, and you can easily spend two hours here. The woodland has that slightly tangled, genuine feel rather than the sanitised version you find in some country estates.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. It's free to wander about. If you're staying at Seaview or Seasalter Holiday Park, this makes a logical half-day outing that breaks up park time without demanding a car journey into Canterbury town centre. Worth adding to your itinerary if you've got time, but don't rearrange your whole trip around it.