Memorial Trench

You won't find much fanfare around Memorial Trench, which is precisely why it's worth seeking out. This First World War training trench sits near Lancing in Sussex, a sobering reminder of the trenches soldiers dug and fought in across the Channel. It's essentially a preserved stretch of earthwork - you can walk along the actual trench line, feel how cramped and exposed it was, and understand why a million men died in conditions like these.

History buffs will get the most from this. It's not a theme park reconstruction; it's the real thing, which makes it quietly powerful. You won't need more than thirty minutes here, though if you're the type to stand and think about what happened in places like this, you might linger longer.

The admission situation is unclear - check ahead when you visit. It's free to access the surrounding area, but there may be a small fee to enter the trench itself.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Eastern Sands, Beach Park, or The Barn are all within a couple of miles - this works as a thoughtful half-hour detour away from the seaside amusements. It's not a crowd-puller or Instagram spot, which means you'll likely have it to yourself. That's the appeal. Downsview Park and Foot of the Downs are a bit further out but still accessible for a morning expedition before heading to the beach.