Diggle Canal Walk

The canal towpath at Diggle runs proper quiet, a welcome relief if you're touring the holiday parks around Greenfield. You're walking alongside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal here, and it's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - no theme park crowds, no gift shop queues.

The walk itself is straightforward. The towpath is well-maintained, mostly flat, and takes you past old lock gates and stone bridges that date back to when this canal actually mattered for industry. It's a two or three-mile stretch depending on which direction you head, and you'll pass through some lovely moorland scenery that opens up nicely as you go north towards the Pennines.

Walkers and families with younger kids will get the most from this. It's not dramatic enough for thrill-seekers, but if you want a gentle afternoon stroll with a bit of local history and some decent views across the Lancashire hills, you won't do better. The path is pushchair-friendly for the most part, though you might find it a touch boggy after rain.

Timing-wise, allow ninety minutes to two hours if you're doing a decent stretch. It's free, naturally. If you're staying at Dovestone Holiday Park nearby, this is exactly the sort of low-key addon that makes a rainy afternoon disappear without fuss. Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light and the fewest other people around.