Forest bathing at Shorne Woods Country Park

Shorne Woods covers nearly 300 acres off the A2 between Gravesend and Rochester. It was once part of the pleasure grounds of the Cobham Hall estate, and before that the whole site was ancient woodland. From the 1920s to the 1970s clay was dug here for the local cement industry, which left the flat open ground now used for the car park, visitor centre and play area. Around it is ancient semi-natural woodland, sweet chestnut coppice, acid grassland and a collection of veteran trees, and much of the park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The old clay pit is returning to woodland and wetland, and its ponds hold many kinds of dragonfly.

Start at the visitor centre, which has a café and accessible toilets. The Easy Access Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and prams, and the waymarked trails lead out into the older woodland. The café and play area draw families, so walk a little way out along the trails for quieter ground. The car park is locked at dusk.