Digby Wood

The woods near Dunmow have a proper sense of peace about them. Digby Wood sprawls across acres of mixed woodland with decent footpaths threading through oak and beech - the kind of place where you can lose a good couple of hours without trying. In autumn the floor turns copper with fallen leaves, which is when most people visit, but spring has its own appeal with bluebells if you time it right.

It's ideal for a brisk walk rather than a destination in itself. The terrain is fairly easy-going, nothing too technical, which makes it popular with families and anyone wanting to stretch their legs without a proper hike. Dunmow is close enough that you could knock this out as a morning's activity, grab lunch in town, and move on. The woodland itself doesn't have visitor facilities to speak of, so bring what you need.

If you're staying at Dairymeade Farm Glamping five miles away, this makes a logical afternoon detour. Those glamping spots are well-reviewed, and Digby Wood works as a low-key add-on to a wider Essex countryside break rather than the main event. Don't expect signage or a car park - you'll need to do a bit of digging for access points. It's free, naturally, and you can do it in an hour or stretch it to a full morning depending on your pace.