Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal cuts through Northamptonshire like a ribbon of industrial history, and once you walk its towpath near Daventry, you understand why the Victorians were so chuffed with themselves. This isn't a theme park attraction - it's a proper working waterway where narrowboats still chug along, their owners waving from the cabin roofs as if nothing's changed since 1929.

The canal stretches for miles, but the stretch near Daventry is particularly good for a gentle walk. The towpath is flat and well-maintained, perfect for pushing a pram or letting kids burn off steam on bikes. You'll spot wildlife - herons, moorhens, the occasional kingfisher if you're lucky - and the odd lock to watch boats navigate through. There's something hypnotic about watching a narrowboat squeeze into a lock chamber, water rising and lowering like some slow-motion theatre.

It's free to walk, obviously, and you can stay as long as you fancy. An hour's amble works well, though serious walkers could do several miles. Spring and early summer are best - the towpath's lined with wildflowers and the water actually looks inviting rather than murky green.

If you're staying at EWE Glamping just down the road, this is your natural morning walk before heading back for proper coffee. Whitefeather Campsite and Hideaway Wood Farm are also close enough for an easy jaunt. It won't blow your mind, but it's exactly the sort of gentle, free activity that makes a country holiday tick. Local history buffs will appreciate the engineering, while families will just enjoy the peace and the occasional narrowboat drama.