Old Grove

Ancient oaks rise up from the forest floor like forgotten sentinels, their gnarled trunks testament to centuries of Kent weather. Old Grove is a proper woodland walk rather than a manicured attraction, which is precisely what makes it worth your time if you're staying around Sevenoaks.

The forest itself is thick with old growth trees - oak predominantly, as the name suggests - and the paths wind through undisturbed woodland that feels genuinely removed from the commuter belt just beyond. It's the kind of place where light filters through the canopy in patches, and you'll hear more birdsong than traffic noise. A family could easily spend two hours here without retracing steps, though walkers will want longer to explore properly.

You're looking at a free visit without faffing about with entry fees or opening hours - just turn up. Wear decent boots though; the ground gets boggy in patches, particularly after rain. Winter and early spring are best if you want to avoid the thick summer canopy blocking what little sky you get.

Combine this with a stay at Thriftwood Country Park, just under six miles away, and you've got yourself a proper woodland escape. Thriftwood has solid reviews and sits well as a base for exploring Kent's forest walks. Old Grove suits walkers and families after a genuine nature experience rather than attractions with facilities and car parks. It's refreshingly unfussy, and that's exactly why people come back.