Golden Wood

Golden Wood sits just outside Ashford and lives up to its name - walk through in autumn and you'll understand why. The trees turn this place into something properly golden, all russet and amber light filtering through. It's a straightforward woodland walk, the kind where you can actually breathe properly and forget the road is anywhere near. There's enough canopy coverage that even on drizzly days it feels managed rather than miserable.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination that demands hours, more like 45 minutes to an hour if you take it slowly and let the kids investigate fallen logs and hunt for wildlife. The paths are reasonably well-maintained - nothing technical - so families with younger legs won't struggle. You're looking at a good leg-stretcher before or after a day at Port Lympne Safari Park, which sits only 5.7 miles away and would absolutely knacker everyone out.

If you're camping at Broadhembury Caravan & Camping Park (less than a mile away) or the glamping options further out at Longberry Farm or Wildside, Golden Wood is brilliant for clearing your head before breakfast. Free access as far as I can tell - no gates, no fees, just woodland. The real magic happens either early morning when it's quiet or on those golden autumn afternoons. Spring is pleasant enough, but frankly it doesn't show off like it should. Go when the light is low and the leaves are doing their thing.