Shere is about as quintessentially English as a village can get with quaint cottages, timber framed houses, cosy pubs, tea-rooms and a river trickling through it. If you fancy a festive walk, you can follow in the footsteps of the stars of the Christmas movie The Holiday.

The wide shallow ford at Fordingbridge has to be the best place to paddle in Hampshire and just to add to it, the park next door has its own paddling pool too. You can park up next to the site, or follow our walk from the forest's edge.

Broadwater Park has plenty to keep families with a play area, ducks to feed, a lake to walk around and waffles to try. But just across the road is The Godalming Navigation, which makes a walk here even more interesting as you can watch the barges traverse the locks.

Holybourne is an attractive village on the outskirts of Alton. There is a great play area, family-friendly pub, duckpond and a network of paths in the surrounding fields.

East Dean is a peaceful West Sussex village with pretty flint cottages surrounding a village duck pond and green. Our walk climbs through woodland, passing a surprising totem pole. Children will enjoy visiting the milkshake vending machine at a nearby dairy farm.

Riverside Park in Southampton marks the point where the Itchen Navigation reaches a tidal estuary on its way to the sea. Flat, surfaced paths guide you along the river where you will find play areas and even a miniature railway along the way.