Lording's Lock & Orfold Aqueduct

The Arun River doesn't look particularly dramatic as it flows through Sussex countryside, but the engineering that carries it across the landscape is genuinely clever. Lording's Lock and Orfold Aqueduct sit just outside Pulborough, where the Arun Navigation - that brilliant Victorian canal system - had to solve a rather pressing problem: getting a waterway over a river valley without everything ending up in a muddy mess.

The aqueduct itself is a sturdy brick structure that's held up remarkably well for something built in the early 19th century. You can walk right up to it and get a proper sense of the scale - the way it carries the canal channel across empty air feels more impressive than photographs suggest. The lock is the real working bit, and watching how it manages the water levels is oddly satisfying if you're into that sort of thing.

This works brilliantly for canal enthusiasts and anyone interested in industrial heritage. Kids get bored after twenty minutes, to be honest - it's a good spot for a walk rather than a destination in itself. Allow an hour if you're exploring both structures and the towpath around them.

If you're camping at Sumners Ponds or Goweco Glamping nearby, this makes a pleasant morning cycle or short drive. It's free to visit and accessible year-round. The real appeal is seeing how Victorians solved problems before modern machinery - there's something satisfying about that kind of practical engineering when you're standing right in front of it.