River Down Wood

The woodland around River Down is proper Kent - dense beech and oak that feels a world away from the Dover seafront, even though you're only a few miles inland. You get a genuine forest walk here, not a manicured park trail. The paths wind through old growth with enough dappled light to make it feel special without being claustrophobic.

It's the sort of place where dog walkers and families with younger kids spend a couple of hours rather than half a day. The ground can be muddy even days after rain, so wellies aren't a bad shout. If you're after a proper woodland ramble with some elevation change, you'll want to look elsewhere - this is gently rolling stuff. But if you're staying at Hawthorn Farm or Parkdean Resorts St Margaret's Bay and fancy an afternoon escape from the holiday park routine, it does the job without fuss.

Walkers will appreciate the quiet. There's genuine woodland atmosphere here - birdsong, rustling undergrowth, the works. Bring a packed lunch and you've got yourself a solid few hours. The real value is how accessible it is from Dover town and how it breaks up a coastal holiday without requiring advance planning or tickets. No facilities to speak of though, so sort yourself out before you arrive.