Arun

A first trip to Arun usually starts on the coast. Bognor Regis and Littlehampton give you the classic seaside day out - a promenade walk, a stretch of beach, an ice cream in hand - while the mouth of the River Arun at Littlehampton adds a working harbour feel that the bigger resorts along this coast don't have. If the weather turns, the district still has plenty going for it inland, where the pace slows and the villages take over.

Beyond the beach, Arun rewards a bit of exploring. Arundel, with its castle and cathedral rising above the River Arun, is the obvious pull for a day trip - its steep high street of antique shops and cafes makes for a good few hours on foot. The South Downs stretch north of the coast, offering walking and cycling routes for those who want to get up into open country, while the villages tucked between the hills and the sea are worth a slow drive or two, each with its own church, pub and patch of green.

With 57 cottages on offer, Arun suits a range of trips - a family week by the sea, a couple's weekend built around Arundel, or a longer stay using one of the inland properties as a base for walking the Downs. The district's mix of coast, river and countryside means the character of your stay depends largely on where you choose to put down for the night.