Woodland walks in Kent – nine of our favourites!
Woodland walks in Kent – find out about the best family walks to do the Garden of England this year!
Well I don’t know about you but woodland walks in Kent have been an absolute must for us during the last year. Or in fact since we moved to Kent just over 15 years ago. We are truly blessed with some of the best walks in Kent on our doorstep and I can’t wait to share them with you…
♥ Knole – Another National Trust property though you don’t need to be a member or have a ticket to access the grounds. Knolw in Sevenoaks is an absolute gem. There is so much wide open space as well as wonderful woodland, perfect for dog walks in Kent or somewhere to take the kids.
The magnificent parkland estate surrounding the house is idyllic for picnics, playing games, little bikes and scooter and you’d be unlucky not to spot the resident herd of wild deer on one of these walks in Kent. We usually park outside of the estate and walk in.
More of the best woodland walks in Kent…
♥ Bedgebury –Surely most people must know about this one? Bedgebury Pinetum is just lovely. It’s a favourite of ours as there are so many different play areas with slides and monkey bars as well as a big ‘ship’ and plenty of swings. There are so many places for the kids to discover as well as lots of different walking routes. Or try out one of the cycle paths too!
The car park can get really busy but it never feel busy within the Pinetum itself. Tickets are not pre-bookable, much to the annoyance of some people. Annual membership can be purchased and is really good value if you think you’ll be visiting regularly. Look out for the Gruffalo!
Something a little bit different?
♥ Broadwater Warren – On the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells and the gorgeous village of Groombridge, Broadwater Warren is one of the best beautiful walks near Tunbridge Wells place. There’s something very peaceful about the this place and the RSPB is making great progress with restoring it.
We love trying to spot the wild ponies and always make our way down to the decoy pond, usually before following the track up hill and doing a circular walk. You can usually take the buggy with you if needed unless it is the middle of winter and very muddy – one of the best forest walks in Kent in my opinion. Lovely in both summer, winter and all seasons really!
♥ Chartwell – Ah the good old National Trust. Chartwell is possibly one of my favourite National Trust properties in Kent. Based in Westerham, Chartwell boasts over 80 acres of grounds with giant swings, den-building, a Canadian camp, looped trails, natural play areas and Donkey Jack’s Caravan all waiting to be discovered in the woodland.
There are ideal picnic spots by the lake and in the meadow too. Remember to visit the two-storey treehouse, which is roughly a 30-minute walk from the house (if you have a baby put them in a carrier!).
A quieter walk to enjoy…
♥ Dene Park – If you are just looking for lots of forest and a decent walk then Dene Park could be the one. Largely unknown, this forest is located just outside Tonbridge. It’s a large mixed woodland with an array of pathways from which to explore the variety of deciduous trees and conifers and enjoy glimpses into the surrounding countryside. We visited it recently! Parking is free and there’s a little river to discover too. A good options for dog walks Kent…
A Kent woodland walk with playground and lake..
♥ Bewl Water – One of the best places to walk in Kent with mixed terrain. Bewl offers a great combination of play areas, lake and woodland walk. Parking is £5 for the day which is fairly reasonable and visitors can use the loos and on-site cafe if they wish.
We have had many’s a family walk or bike ride at Bewl Water over the years! The 12 ½ mile scenic route is open to walkers and cyclists all year round and follows a collection of forest paths, country lanes and all-weather surfaces. One of the best circular walks in Kent, but obviously pretty long! There’s a big grassy area, playground and pirate ship too.
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♥ Haysden Country Park – Ah one of our go-to places as it has so much to do. Not only are there fabulous woodland walks leading off the lake, there’s also a playground, an outdoor cafe and a (rough & ready) bike ramp track. The big lake with pedestrian and cycle path and a forest is our main draw to it but you can really make a day of it if you head over towards Tonbridge Swimming Pool. Ooh did I mention there are public toilets too? Parking is £1.20 for up to 4 hours at the time of writing this post.
More nice walks in Kent to choose from…
♥ Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve – One of my favourite woodland walks in Kent is near Sevenoaks – This is a pioneering nature reserve which includes five lakes and a mixed habitat of ponds, seasonal flooded pools, reedbed and woodlands. There isn’t a charge for entry though donations are welcome.
♥ Cinderhill Woods – And lastly another one of our favourite country walks in kent. If you like the sound of a welly walk, consider heading over to Cinderhill Woods near Matfield. The 12 hectares has lots of lovely trails to explore through woodland, heathlands, grasslands and streams. There are some lovely views to enjoy across the heath and don’t miss the big wooden ‘slithery snake’ a few minutes’ walk from the car park. If you can avoid taking a buggy, it’s best as the trails are narrow in places and quite muddy.
