Razor Groner's Wood

The woods near Maidstone are thick with oak and beech, and Razor Groner's Wood is one worth finding if you're after a proper walk without the crowds. It's the kind of place where the canopy closes in and suddenly the A-roads feel a long way off, even though you're barely three miles from town centre.

The main draw here is simply the walking - paths thread through densely wooded terrain that feels genuinely wild for Kent. Spring brings bluebells that actually make the effort worthwhile, and in autumn the light filtering through turning leaves is rather good. There's no visitor centre or café, so this is about getting your boots muddy and enjoying the peace.

Families with younger kids might find the terrain a bit relentless after an hour or so - it's proper woodland, not landscaped parkland. Serious walkers and nature types will get far more from it. Allow two to three hours depending on your pace and how lost you're willing to get.

If you're staying at Chegworth Mill Glamping just down the road, this makes an excellent morning outing before breakfast gets cold. The proximity to Maidstone means you can squeeze it in between other activities without losing half a day to travel. Free to access, obviously - it's just woodland. Don't expect signage to be brilliant, so come prepared with a map app that works offline. Conditions get muddy fast after rain, so pick your weather.