Strowling Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Strowling Wood sits just east of Maldon and gives you a decent hour or two among the trees without needing to drive far. The woodland's the sort of place where you'll find yourself on decent paths through mixed growth - nothing dramatic, but honest Essex countryside that doesn't pretend to be more than it is.

It works well if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Mill Beach or Osea Leisure - breaks up a seaside holiday with something inland. Families with younger kids will manage it fine, though there's not a great deal to actually do once you're in there beyond walking. Older children might find it a bit thin on attractions; you're not getting any viewpoints or adventure playgrounds.

Walkers will appreciate the peace more than the scenery. The paths are straightforward enough that you won't need a map, though mobile reception can be patchy in places. Best visited when the ground's dry - it gets muddy quickly after rain and loses what little charm it has when everything's sodden.

I'd allow ninety minutes maximum if you're doing a full circuit. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so take what you need. Free to access, though you'll need your own transport to get there from Maldon. Honest assessment: it's worth a morning if you're already in the area and the weather's decent, but it's not worth planning a trip around.