Houghtey Wood

Ancient woodland near Dunmow that feels properly separated from the everyday world, even though you're only minutes from civilisation. Houghtey Wood is the sort of place where the canopy gets so thick you lose track of time, and the ground cover shifts from fern to moss depending on which section you wander into.

You're looking at mixed broadleaf forest here - oak, beech, hornbeam - with paths that are manageable but not manicured. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on how you feel about rougher walks. Families with sturdy boots and kids who don't need constant entertainment will get genuine value from a couple of hours here. Serious walkers will appreciate the quietness; the wood hasn't been turned into a theme park.

It's free to access and best visited in autumn when the leaf colour is serious, or spring when the woodland floor comes alive. Summer can get a bit damp and buggy in places. Allow two hours minimum if you want to properly explore rather than dash through.

If you're staying at Dairymeade Farm Glamping just down the road, this is an excellent morning walk before heading back for a late breakfast. The combination works well - you get proper woodland without straying far from comfortable accommodation. It's the kind of place that reminds you why people love Essex's quieter corners, even if they don't always admit it.