Brasenose Two

A proper water body just outside Witney, Brasenose Two is one of those lakes that sneaks up on you - not dramatic, not Instagram-famous, but genuinely pleasant if you're in the area. It's the sort of spot where you'll find local anglers setting up for the day and dog walkers doing laps round the perimeter. The water's clear enough, backed by decent trees, and there's enough space to sit and decompress without feeling crowded.

Walkers will get the most from it. There's a decent circuit if you fancy stretching your legs, and it's close enough to Witney town centre that you could combine it with a cafe stop or a wander through the high street. Families with kids will find it pleasant rather than thrilling - no play areas or facilities that I'm aware of, so it's really a "nice walk" destination rather than a destination in itself.

The lakes work well if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Hardwick Parks or Lincoln Farm Park Partnership - both are under 2.5 miles away, which means you could easily pop out for an hour's walk without it feeling like an expedition. Cotswold Edge Caravan & Camping at Ducklington Farm is also close by. Spring and early summer are your best bets for visiting, when the banks are less muddy and the light's better.

Don't expect facilities or formal access arrangements. This feels like a working landscape rather than a managed attraction. Bit of a trek for its own sake, but well worth including if you're already exploring the Witney area.