Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal stretches across Northamptonshire like a ribbon of quiet water, and once you're walking its towpath, you understand why locals keep coming back. This isn't a dramatic destination - there's no thundering waterfall or craggy viewpoint - but that's rather the point. The canal winds through gentle countryside between Northampton and beyond, lined with narrowboats painted in traditional colours, willows drooping over the water, and the occasional bridge arching overhead in brick and stone.

You can walk sections of it for free, and most people do. Pick a length that suits you - a mile takes twenty minutes, five miles takes a proper couple of hours. The towpath is flat and pushchair-friendly, which is why families with young kids find it works brilliantly as an afternoon wander without the exhaustion of fell-walking. Walkers come here when they want something meditative rather than strenuous, and dog owners appreciate that the path is wide enough for leads and buggies to pass one another.

Historically inclined types enjoy spotting the locks and learning how the canal system once moved goods across the country before railways took over. The real appeal, though, is the rhythm of it - the sound of water lapping, narrowboat names painted in gold leaf, maybe stopping at a waterside pub halfway along.

If you're based at Northants Caravan Site or Steepleton Lodge Glamping, the canal is within easy reach and gives you a proper change of pace from traditional park activities. Go mid-week to avoid weekend crowds, and bring a packed lunch if you're planning a longer stretch.