Head to the dark forest which is blocked by a door that requires a key from the blacksmith to unlock. This only really works if your not apart of the forest hunters covenant. Now go into the forest and you will get attacked by some npc humans killing them nets you alot of experience some may not attack you attack them anyway and you'll gain alot of experience. now go to the front of the forest and rest at the bonfire to reset most of the enemies. there's ghosts in the area that you cant kill with regular weapons so another trick is to run through the forest and have alot of the npcs chase you now run towards the front gate of the forest but go towards the right and walk along the edge of the cliff the enemies chasing you will sometimes climb the stairs above where you are and stupidly run off the mountain this is useful if your finding the npcs to tough.