Vauxhall Lakes

The lakes themselves are the draw here - a series of water bodies that sit just outside Canterbury, giving you proper open space without the medieval cobbles. You can walk the perimeter paths, which take between 45 minutes to an hour depending on which route you take, and they're flat enough that you won't spend the whole time cursing your footwear.

It's a decent spot if you're based at Seaview Holiday Park and fancy stretching your legs between seaside days. The water attracts birdwatchers, and on a clear morning you might spot herons or kingfishers if you're patient. There's something quite restful about it - not dramatic, but genuinely pleasant. Families with young kids will get an hour out of it before fidgeting sets in; serious walkers might find it a bit tame.

The practical stuff: I'd ring ahead to Canterbury information centre to check current access arrangements, as water levels and path conditions can shift seasonally. Spring and early summer are nicest when the bankside vegetation isn't too overgrown. It's free to access, which helps when you're padding out a park-based holiday.

Worth the detour? Not if you're only in Kent for a weekend and spoilt for choice. But if you're settled at Seaview for a week and need a low-key morning outing, it does the job. Go early to avoid other walkers if solitude matters to you.