Lord's Wood

Walking through Lord's Wood near Dover feels like stepping back in time - the trees are proper ancient, and you half expect to bump into a medieval woodcutter round every corner. It's a genuine working forest, not some manicured country estate affair, which means the paths can be muddy and the undergrowth occasionally wins, but that's rather the point.

The wood itself isn't massive - you're looking at a couple of hours maximum to explore it thoroughly - but it's quiet in a way most Kent woodland isn't anymore. Walkers will appreciate the network of tracks that wind through without feeling overly signposted or managed. Families with young kids might find an hour enough before the novelty of trees wears off, though older children who actually enjoy being outdoors will get more from it.

There's something genuinely atmospheric about the place. In autumn it's particularly good - the light filters through golden leaves and the smell of damp earth and decomposing wood takes over completely. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right, though you'll need to know where to look.

If you're staying at Wheatfields Luxury Glamping just up the road, this makes an excellent morning walk before breakfast or a late afternoon potter. Parkdean Resorts at St Margaret's Bay is a bit further but still within easy reach. It's not a destination in itself - you won't travel to Dover just for Lord's Wood - but if you're already in the area, it beats sitting in a holiday park watching other people's children run about.