Ray Wood

Ray Wood is proper woodland in its truest sense - densely planted conifers and deciduous trees that create something between a working forest and a walker's paradise. You're here to move through it rather than sit and stare, though the dappled light filtering through the canopy on a clear day does feel rather special.

The main draw is straightforward: footpaths wind through the trees, and it's the kind of place where you can stretch your legs for anything from forty minutes to a couple of hours depending on which routes you fancy. The ground underfoot varies between soft needle mulch and proper earth - wear decent boots if it's been wet. There's a quietness that appeals to anyone who wants forest air without the crowds you'd get at the big country estates.

Families with older kids will get something from it; younger ones might flag after half an hour unless they're the type who like building sticks and hunting for woodland creatures. Serious walkers will find it a useful waypoint rather than a destination in itself - the kind of place to include as part of a wider ramble round Kent.

Whether it's free I couldn't tell you with certainty, and opening hours aren't widely advertised, so check locally before you go. If you're staying at Go Glamp or Wildside Camping just down the road, it's a decent escape into the green without going far from your accommodation. Don't expect facilities or crowds - that's rather the point.