Packing Wood

The woodland stretches quietly between Ashford and the Kent countryside, offering something refreshingly straightforward - a proper forest walk without the crowds you'd find at managed beauty spots. Packing Wood is the kind of place locals know and visitors stumble upon by accident, which is precisely why it works.

You're walking through dense woodland here, the sort with enough variety to hold your attention for a couple of hours. The paths wind through mixed trees, and depending on the season you'll either be crunching through autumn leaves or pushing through summer greenery. There's nothing fancy about it - no visitor centre, no designated viewpoints - which means it feels genuinely wild for somewhere so close to town.

It suits walkers wanting a proper woodland tramp without the effort of a half-day hike. Families with children old enough to manage uneven ground will get something out of it; younger kids might tire quickly since there's limited novelty once they've seen a few trees. The real appeal is the peace. No gift shops, no Instagram moments, just woodland.

If you're based at Wildside Camping nearby, this makes a solid morning activity before heading elsewhere. Port Lympne Safari Park offers a complete contrast if you need variety in your break - safari driving one day, forest walking the next. Spring and autumn are the sweet spot for visiting, when the woodland isn't either dripping wet or overgrown. Allow two hours and wear decent boots.