Long Wood

Just a short drive inland from Dover's famous white cliffs, this patch of woodland offers a proper escape from the coastal crowds. Long Wood isn't going to feature in any glossy guidebooks, but that's rather the point - it's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think.

The forest runs to about 50 acres of mixed deciduous trees, with a network of informal paths winding through oak, beech and the odd sweet chestnut. It's free to wander, naturally, and there's enough here to keep you occupied for a good hour or two if you're after a gentle ramble. Dog walkers love it, and families with older children will find it's just right for a bit of woodland exploration without being too demanding.

Don't expect fancy visitor facilities or waymarked trails - this is Kent countryside at its most unvarnished. Come in autumn when the leaf colours are at their best, though it's lovely enough in spring when the bluebells are out.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Sandwich or Dover - places like Hawthorn Farm or St Margaret's Bay - Long Wood makes for a decent morning out when you fancy a change from beach walks. It's properly peaceful, and given how close you are to the Channel ports, that's saying something.