Graces Wood

Walk far enough into Graces Wood and you'll forget you're in Essex. The forest sits east of Dunmow, a proper pocket of ancient woodland where the paths meander through tall oaks and birches, and the light filters through the canopy in that particular way that makes you feel like you've stepped back a century or two.

It's a straightforward woodland walk - no fancy features or visitor facilities, just trees and quiet. The ground can get boggy after rain, so decent boots matter. Allow an hour or so to loop through without rushing; there's no point hurrying through a place like this. Families with older kids will get on fine here, though toddlers might struggle with the terrain. History buffs should know this is proper old woodland, the kind that's been here for centuries, though there's no interpretation on site to tell you what you're looking at.

Entry is free and you can walk it any time. Visit in autumn and the leaf colour is exceptional. Spring brings bluebells and birdsong. Summer can feel a bit airless, truth be told.

If you're camped at Dairymeade Farm Glamping or Golden Grove just down the road, this works as a morning walk before heading elsewhere. It's not a destination in itself - too small for that - but combined with a longer stay in the area, it's well worth an hour of your time. The kind of place you don't photograph much, just experience.