Riverside Country Park

The Medway runs proper wide and slow through Riverside Country Park, and on a clear afternoon the whole stretch feels like you've stumbled into someone's private corner of Kent. This isn't a manicured showpiece - it's the real thing. You get riverside paths that meander through woodland, open meadows where the grass gets properly long, and enough space to actually breathe without tripping over other visitors.

Maidstone's just a stone's throw away, but out here you could forget the town exists. The park works brilliantly if you've got kids who need to burn off energy without you having to supervise them within six inches. There are decent walking routes for grown-ups too - nothing too taxing, but enough distance if you want a proper couple of hours on your feet. In spring the wildflower margins are worth the visit alone; come summer it's packed with dog walkers and families doing the obvious thing on a Sunday afternoon.

If you're based at Oak View Holiday Park or Kits Coty Glamping nearby, this is your local escape. Free, naturally, and you can turn up whenever suits you. Early morning or late afternoon is when it actually feels worth the drive rather than just an extension of the car park experience. Allow two to three hours if you're walking the full loop, or drop in for half an hour if you just want to let the kids loose by the water. Not fancy, not crowded beyond reason, just proper useful.