Emsworth

Three tidal channels slice through this waterside Hampshire town, creating a maze of creeks where the ghosts of Victorian oyster beds still lurk beneath the murky waters. You can spot the iron remnants at low tide - a reminder when Emsworth's shellfish were shipped to London's finest tables.

The town pulses with a proper working harbour vibe. Fishing boats bob alongside pleasure craft, and the tide dictates when you can actually reach some of the pontoons. It's all very authentic, unlike some of the posher sailing towns along the Solent.

Emsworth Museum tells the story of this maritime past rather well, housed in one of the old buildings near the quay. The Emsworth Brewery keeps things properly local too - their ales turn up in pubs across the area. For a bit of wartime history, seek out the remains of the WW2 D-Day camp cinema. Most people walk straight past it.

Chichester sits just seven miles north if you need proper shopping or the cathedral. But honestly, Emsworth's compact high street and the walk around the millpond make for a lovely afternoon without venturing further.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're right on the edge of Chichester Harbour, with footpaths threading through the saltmarsh and along the coast to Hayling Island. The South Downs rise just inland, while Portsmouth's historic dockyard is only twenty minutes by car. From Emsworth station, you can catch trains straight into London in under two hours - handy if someone fancies a day trip to the capital.