Horse Pasture

Deep in the Kent countryside near Tonbridge, Horse Pasture is a proper working forest rather than a manicured beauty spot. You'll find yourself among tall trees and woodland paths - the sort of place where dog walkers outnumber tourists and the air smells genuinely green.

There's nothing fancy here. It's a straightforward woodland walk with a network of trails threading through beech and oak. The paths are well-trodden but uneven in places, so decent boots matter. Most people spend an hour to 90 minutes pottering about, which is exactly the right amount of time before the novelty of just being among trees wears off.

This works brilliantly if you're staying at Still Acres or Hopgarden - both excellent camping spots within five miles - and need somewhere to burn off energy between breakfast and lunch. Families with young kids will find it manageable; older walkers after a proper hike might find it a bit too short. The forest doesn't Instagram particularly well, which is honestly its best quality.

There's no visitor centre, no café, no clear signposting. Bring a map or phone map because it's easy to miss the best bits. Free to visit, as far as anyone can tell - just rock up and walk.

Worth the detour? Only if you're camping nearby and want a quiet morning in the woods. Don't drive across Kent specially for it.