Shoreham Woods

The woodlands around Shoreham are properly lovely if you're after something low-key near Sevenoaks. It's not a formal visitor attraction with a car park and a gift shop - more a working nature reserve where you can actually walk without bumping into crowds of school groups. The paths wind through beech and oak woodland, and depending on the season you'll find bluebells in spring or decent autumn colour. It's the sort of place where you might spot a nuthatch or hear a woodpecker if you're quiet about it.

This works best for walkers and nature types rather than small children wanting a specific 'experience'. Give yourself a couple of hours to properly explore without rushing. Spring and autumn are best - summer can feel a bit stuffy under the canopy, and winter muddy unless you don't mind wet boots.

If you're staying at Thriftwood Country Park five miles away, Shoreham Woods is an easy addition to a morning walk, though it's not the sort of place that demands a special trip on its own. Combine it with a wander through nearby Sevenoaks and you've got a solid day outdoors in the Kent countryside. No entry fees as far as I can tell, which makes it worth a go even if the weather looks dodgy - you can always head back if it doesn't work out.