Mr & Mrs Smith

Stop for lunch at the Smith-approved Royal Oak, a gastropub with cosy rooms and a kitchen that turns out sophisticated little plates – scallops with pork belly and sage, anyone? The Fox Goes Free at Charlton (+44 (0)1243 811461; www.thefoxgoesfree.com) is great for a pub lunch among locals; there’s a pretty garden, too. Both of these are a short drive away, as is Selsey, which has a clutch of perfectly good pubs and frill-free curry houses.

In nearby Bosham, have a wander round the village harbour and poke your nose into the Bosham Walk Art & Craft Centre, where you'll find The Captain's Table (+44 (0)1243 574554), a sweetly unassuming tea room, for warming cuppas and home-made cake or soup and savoury snacks:

You're spoilt for choice here; go for a lazy amble round Pagham Harbour, spotting fantastically named birds such as wigeon, ruff, godwits and knots (plus a few common or garden gulls). For a bit of fresh sea air, a short drive will get you to the shingly shores of Selsey and the Witterings, to Chichester Harbour, or little village harbours, including Bosham.

Goodwood Estate is only 20 minutes by car; as well as a year-round events programme (horse power of all kinds being a theme), there's a golf course and spa. Petrol heads and adrenalin junkies are also catered for, with flying lessons (+44 (0)1243 755066) and track days. Check out the Breakfast Club motor meetings on the first Sunday of the month from March to November, and follow up with a peek into the Duke of Richmond's Regency pile.

June All things wheeled and wonderful at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Late July/early August Thundering hooves at Glorious Goodwood, the races held on arguably Britain's most beautiful track. September It's all about bobby socks, lindyhop, pencil skirts and classic cars during the Goodwood Revival.