London Wood

The woodland paths at London Wood near Maidstone are proper quiet - the kind of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of traffic. It's a modest forest, nothing dramatic, but solid for an afternoon walk if you're camped nearby at Bearsted or Chegworth Mill. The tree canopy is thick enough to feel like proper countryside, even though you're only a few miles from town.

Walking here works best in dry spells. The paths can get boggy, and there's nothing fancy to keep you entertained - no visitor centre, no café, no interpretation boards. You're just moving through woodland, which is either exactly what you want or a waste of petrol. For families with young kids who need climbing frames or activities, this will bore them senseless after thirty minutes. Adults after a two-hour forest walk? Much better suited.

The real value is the convenience factor for caravan and glamping stays in the area. If you're based at Bearsted or Chegworth Mill and the weather's decent, you can knock out a woodland walk without travelling far. There's something about having proper green space on the doorstep - takes the pressure off needing to drive to some big-name attraction. It's the kind of place that reminds you why you came to Kent in the first place.

Allow a couple of hours. Free to access. Go when it hasn't rained for at least two days unless you're the type who enjoys squelching through mud.