Broome

Broome Forest sits just outside Canterbury and delivers proper woodland walking without the crowds you'd get at more famous spots. It's a working forest rather than a manicured park - think dense trees, muddy paths in winter, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how little of Kent actually feels like this anymore.

You're looking at a few good walking routes through mixed woodland. The paths are well-marked but genuinely woodland rather than gravel tracks. On a clear day you get decent views across the Kentish countryside, and in autumn the colours are worth the drive alone. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which counts for something these days.

This works best for walkers who want a proper stretch without needing a destination view or visitor centre. Kids will manage fine if they're the outdoor type - there's enough to explore - but if they need playgrounds or ice cream stops, they'll get bored. Allow a couple of hours minimum, longer if you're the sort who actually looks at trees.

It slots nicely into a Kent holiday if you're based around Canterbury. If you're staying at Dog & Duck Leisure Park, it's barely a ten-minute drive, making it an easy half-day option when the weather's decent. Spring and autumn are your best bets - summer can feel a bit muggy under all those trees, and winter paths get seriously waterlogged. Free to wander, no facilities to speak of, so bring what you need.