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.

Hidden among the trees beside the River Tillingbourne are the remnants of our industrial heritage. As well as uncovering the ruins from the gunpowder mills, children can also find a paddling area in one of the old waterways.

Just a stone’s throw from the heart of Winchester is this wetland nature reserve, known as the gateway to The River Itchen. The all access pathways take you over reedbeds, past ponds and sections of the river.

Chiddingfold is a gorgeous Surrey Hills village with fine homes and a timber framed pub set around a large green. Our walk starts from the recreation ground with small play area and heads across farmland and bluebell woodland with river a river running through.

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.