Runnel's Hey

Deep woodland doesn't get much better than this when you're staying around Dunmow. Runnel's Hey is a proper forest walk - the kind where you actually feel like you've left Essex behind, even though you're barely a stone's throw from the market town.

The woods are dense enough to feel genuinely wild. Ancient trees, decent footpaths, and the sort of quiet you don't often find in the south-east. It's free to access and there's no time limit, so you can spend an afternoon here or just crack through it in an hour depending on what you fancy. Bring decent boots though - it gets boggy after rain, and the paths aren't always obvious.

This works best for actual walkers rather than families with small kids in buggies. Teenagers and anyone who enjoys a proper woodland ramble will be fine. The bonus is it's close enough to Dairymeade Farm Glamping that you can base yourself there and explore without much faffing about with the car.

Timing-wise, spring and autumn are lovely - fewer insects and better visibility through the trees. Summer can feel a bit enclosed with all the foliage, and winter muddy walking is exactly what it sounds like. Go when the weather's decent and you've got a few hours free. It's not a destination day trip on its own, but paired with exploring Dunmow or another walk nearby, it's well worth the detour.