Basted Mill Woodland

The woodland path winds through beech and oak, proper quiet on a weekday morning. Basted Mill is tucked into the Kent countryside near Sevenoaks, and unless you know what to look for, you'll miss the mill itself among the trees. It's a modest affair - an old watermill that's seen better centuries - but the surrounding woodland makes up for it. The stream running through is the draw, really. Kids will enjoy scrambling about on the banks, and if the water's high enough, there's something quite satisfying about watching it turn the wheel, though you won't be standing there long. Allow forty minutes if you're just passing through, longer if you're a proper woodland wanderer who stops to identify birds. Free to visit, though there's not much in the way of facilities. The real appeal is combining this with a walk through Gatehouse Wood Country Park, just over two miles away. That's where you'd want to spend a proper afternoon - Basted Mill works best as an add-on, a quiet breather between bigger activities. Go early on a Saturday or on a weekday to avoid the weekend walkers who've discovered it. It's not worth a special journey on its own, but if you're staying at one of the local parks, it's worth the detour for twenty minutes of woodland peace.