Sowe Valley

The Sowe Valley cuts through Warwickshire like a green wound, splitting the landscape between Coventry and the countryside beyond. It's less a single destination and more a corridor for walking - the river itself threading through meadows and small woods, with paths that let you escape the city's sprawl in under twenty minutes.

What you're actually doing here is walking. The valley floor is fairly gentle, which means families with younger kids can manage decent distances without anyone complaining their legs have fallen off. The river's never dramatic - no waterfalls, no sudden gorges - but that's rather the point. It's proper countryside, the kind that doesn't require you to book ahead or pay entry fees.

Historically minded walkers will find themselves on land shaped by centuries of mill work and small-scale farming, though most of the actual structures have long gone. The valley works best as part of a longer ramble rather than a morning's destination in itself. From Coventry town centre, you can head out and disappear for a couple of hours without ever feeling like you're in the Midlands.

Winter and early spring are best - the paths can get boggy in heavy rain, and summer brings out the midges. Allow two to three hours for a decent loop walk. If you're staying at Eriba Glade just up the road, this is ideal for stretching your legs without driving anywhere. Free, accessible, and honest work for your steps.