Kingsdown Wood

A proper woodland walk tucked away near Faversham, Kingsdown Wood is the sort of place locals know about but tourists often miss. Ancient beech and oak dominate, with enough paths to keep you busy for a couple of hours without feeling crowded. The canopy is thick enough that even on drizzly days it stays relatively dry underfoot.

It's ideal for families with kids old enough to manage uneven terrain - there's genuine forest here, not a manicured nature trail. Walkers after a proper stretch will appreciate the network of routes that let you pick your own length. History types won't find plaques or interpretation boards, but the woodland itself feels old, and that counts for something.

You can easily combine this with a stay at Painters Farm Camping Site just down the road - four miles away and highly rated by campers. Chegworth Mill Glamping is another option if you want something slightly posher, about five and a half miles off. Both give you a solid base for exploring the North Kent countryside.

No visitor centre, no facilities to speak of, so come prepared. It's free to enter and worth allowing at least ninety minutes to two hours. Go when the light's decent - winter mornings here feel properly atmospheric, and autumn is spectacular if you catch the colour right. In summer, the shade's genuinely welcome and the undergrowth springs back fast after rain.