Jenkins' Rough

Jenkins' Rough is a proper slice of Kentish woodland just outside Canterbury - the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a forest walk rather than a manicured attraction, with decent trails threading through native trees and enough space to lose the crowds even in summer. You'll find bluebells here in spring, and the woodland floor is thick enough that your footsteps are muffled. It's the sort of spot locals know about but most visitors heading to the cathedral completely miss.

Walkers get the most from this one. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, just trees and peace - which is either brilliant or disappointing depending on what you're after. You can spend a solid hour here without rushing, longer if you're the type to stop and identify birds or just sit on a fallen log. Bring proper shoes though; it gets muddy after rain and the paths aren't always obvious.

If you're camping at Fallow Fields or New Beach Holiday Park nearby, Jenkins' Rough makes a cracking morning walk before heading to bigger attractions. It's free entry and genuinely feels like a break from the tourist trail around Canterbury, even though you're barely four miles out. Perfect for families who want a woodland ramble without the Instagram crowds, though there's nothing here for younger kids who need activities or facilities. Time it for late spring when the wood is alive with wildflowers and birdsong.