West Blean Wood

A proper walk through ancient woodland is exactly what West Blean Wood delivers, just inland from Whitstable. You're surrounded by oak and sweet chestnut trees, the kind of place where you actually notice the quiet - no traffic noise, just birds and your own footsteps on the leaf litter.

The reserve itself isn't vast, which is partly why it works so well. You can wander the main paths in under an hour, though if you've got time and a decent map, there's scope to potter about longer. The woodland floor changes with the seasons - bluebells in spring, then ferns unfurling, and come autumn the light filters through in that golden way that makes you remember why you bothered leaving the caravan.

This is genuinely good for families with kids old enough to walk without complaining (six upwards), and absolutely the thing if you're into birds or woodland ecology. The reserve proper is free to roam, though you'll want sturdy shoes - it gets boggy in patches. Best avoided during heavy rain unless you're the type who enjoys squelching.

If you're based at Seaview Holiday Park or Nethergong Camping nearby, it's a useful half-day activity that breaks up the beach routine. Combine it with Whitstable itself - the high street's got decent fish and chips, and the pebble beach is a walk away. Canterbury's only four miles south if you need culture, but West Blean is the antidote to town life, not a replacement for it.