Sharsted Plantation

You won't find many people talking about Sharsted Plantation, which is rather the point. It's a proper working forest near Faversham - the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, with dense woodland trails that feel genuinely removed from the outside world.

The plantation itself is commercial forestry, so don't expect manicured paths or visitor facilities. What you get instead is straightforward access to walking routes through mixed woodland - conifers mixed with deciduous trees depending on the section. It's the kind of place where dog walkers and local hikers come to escape, not somewhere you'd bring young children expecting entertainment stations.

If you're staying at Painters Farm Camping Site just up the road, this makes a decent morning walk without needing to load up the car. Allow a couple of hours if you're properly exploring the trails rather than dashing through. The forest is open year-round, though winter can get muddy and summer can be thick with flies.

Frankly, it's not going to be the highlight of a Kent holiday on its own. But if you're already in the Faversham area visiting the creek or the surrounding parks, and you fancy a proper woodland walk away from the crowds, it's well worth knowing about. Bring decent boots and expect very little in the way of infrastructure - which, honestly, is exactly why it works.