Bex Wood

Walking into Bex Wood near Maidstone feels like stepping back a few centuries. This is proper woodland - the sort where you actually hear birdsong rather than traffic, and the canopy's thick enough that you lose the sky for stretches at a time.

It's a straightforward forest walk with decent trails threading through beech and oak. Nothing dramatic, no waterfalls or clifftop views, but that's rather the point. If you're after a gentle couple of hours among trees without having to navigate scrambles or steep climbs, this delivers. The woodland floor's soft underfoot after rain, which beats trudging through mud elsewhere.

Families with younger walkers will manage fine here - the paths are well-trodden enough that pushchairs aren't impossible, though you'll want proper footwear. Older kids might find it a bit samey if they're hoping for adventure; it's walking for walking's sake rather than a destination hike. History buffs won't find much to get excited about either.

If you're staying at Chegworth Mill Glamping or Bearsted Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby, Bex Wood makes a solid half-day option on a drizzly morning when you want to stay active without committing to a full expedition. Free access, no gates or charges to worry about. Worth the detour if you're already in the area and need some green space, but don't go out of your way for it alone. Pair it with a proper walk elsewhere in Kent and you've got a decent day.