Chichester Canal

The canal running through Chichester is one of those places you stumble upon rather than seek out - and that's precisely why it's worth your time. It's a proper waterway, not some ornamental ditch, stretching 4.5 miles from the city centre out towards the Sussex countryside with towpaths that invite a gentle walk or bike ride without any faffing about.

What you get here is straightforward: water, trees, the odd narrowboat, and genuine peace. The stretch nearest Chichester itself has a bit of character - the basin area around the city has cafes and benches where you can actually sit without being pestered. Head out along the towpath and the residential clutter falls away. After a couple of miles you're genuinely rural, watching herons fish and listening to nothing much at all.

It's not a destination in itself, honestly. You won't spend an afternoon here unless you're serious about walking the whole length or you've got young kids who are obsessed with locks and narrowboats. But if you're staying at West Sands Holidays or anywhere nearby and want a morning off the main roads, this works brilliantly. The flat terrain means walkers of all abilities can manage a section, and cyclists will appreciate the smooth going.

Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends bring the canal enthusiasts out in force, which is fine, but midweek you've got it almost to yourself. Free, naturally - you're using a public towpath. Allow an hour for a decent stretch, or half a day if you're making it a proper expedition.