The Spring

There's a proper forest walk waiting just outside Braintree, and The Spring is the sort of place that rewards a bit of wandering. It's woodland in the truest sense - dense enough that you forget the town is nearby, open enough that you're not clambering over roots every five paces.

The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and moss. On a decent day the light filters through the canopy in that way that makes you remember why you left the house. There's a natural spring that gives the place its name, though it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it - no grand fountain, just a quiet spot where water emerges from the ground.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a manicured park with benches every hundred metres. You need proper shoes and a bit of time to explore properly. Families with young children might find it a touch underwhelming unless the kids are the type who enjoy proper nature rather than play equipment. An hour or two is realistic, depending on how much you potter.

Free to access, as far as I can tell, and no faffing about with car parks or gates. It's the kind of place you'd combine with Hill Farm campsite nearby - pop out for a walk in the morning, back for breakfast. Essex doesn't shout about its forests, which is exactly why you should go. It's genuine rather than Instagram-ready, and that's not a bad thing.