Stansted Park Light Railway

A miniature railway running through the grounds of Stansted Park near Emsworth - it's the sort of thing that looks a bit twee in the brochure but actually delivers proper afternoon fun. The track winds through woodland and open parkland, giving you genuine views across Sussex countryside rather than just lapping a car park. Most visitors spend an hour aboard plus time exploring the wider estate, though if you've got restless kids you might stretch it to a couple of hours with a packed lunch.

It works best for families with children aged four to twelve. Adults without kids often find it pleasant but not essential - it's gentle rather than thrilling, with an unhurried pace that suits a lazy Saturday more than school holidays chaos. The Victorian architecture of the main house adds context if you care about that sort of thing, though the railway itself is the main draw.

Access isn't difficult from Emsworth, and it slots nicely into a week based at somewhere like Bow Hill Farm, the CL site a few miles west. You could combine it with other South Downs attractions - the park sits in decent walking country if the weather cooperates. Admission charges apply for the rides, but wander the grounds first to work out if it's worth your money. Worth noting: opening times shift seasonally and weekends are busier, so check ahead. It's not revolutionary, but on a decent day it's exactly what it claims to be - a rare chance to ride an actual narrow-gauge railway through proper countryside.