Balancing Pond

The name alone is enough to raise an eyebrow - Balancing Pond, near Crawley, sounds like the sort of place you'd find in a children's picture book rather than Surrey. In reality, it's a modest lake that sits quietly in the landscape, the kind of spot locals know about and visitors tend to stumble upon by accident.

What you're looking at is a stretch of open water surrounded by grassland and trees - nothing dramatic, but genuinely peaceful. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which counts for something around here. The water reflects the sky properly on calm days, and there's enough space to walk around without feeling hemmed in by other visitors.

Families with young kids will find it decent enough for a straightforward ramble, though don't expect an afternoon of entertainment. It works best as part of a wider walk rather than a destination in itself. History buffs won't find much to grab onto, but if you're after a bit of air and greenery between Crawley and the various caravan parks scattered around - Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is only a couple of miles away - it's a reasonable option.

The real value here is context. On its own, it's pleasant enough but forgettable. Combined with other local walks or as a break during a longer route, it serves a purpose. Free to visit, no faffing about with opening times or entry fees. Go when the weather's decent - there's no shelter to speak of, and a grey drizzle would rather diminish the appeal.