Oak Wood

You'll find yourself in proper woodland the moment you enter Oak Wood - proper meaning the kind where you forget the A20 is just over there. It's a straightforward walk through mixed woodland on the outskirts of Dover, the sort of place locals use on a wet Sunday when the coast gets crowded.

The woodland itself is unremarkable in the best possible way. Tall oaks do what oaks do, paths are clear enough without being manicured, and there's genuine quiet if you go midweek. It's not a destination that'll wow you with vistas or geological marvels - it's a working wood, not a tourist attraction dressed up as one. You'll spot birds, maybe a few deer if you're lucky and quiet, and plenty of shade when the sun's actually out.

Walkers will get the most from Oak Wood. It works as a proper stretch of the legs without demanding Ordnance Survey maps or special equipment - give yourself 90 minutes to two hours for a decent circuit. Families with young kids might find it a touch dull after the initial novelty of "proper trees" wears off.

If you're staying at Hawthorn Farm Holiday Park or Parkdean Resorts St Margaret's Bay just down the road, this makes sense as a backup plan when the weather's reasonable or you want a break from the beach. It's five minutes from Dover itself, so no serious drive. Free, as far as anyone can tell, and as you'd expect from a community woodland. Worth half a morning, nothing more.