California Country Park

You'll find this sprawling woodland and water park just outside Wokingham, and it's the sort of place where you can easily lose a couple of hours without trying. There's a proper working farm here alongside the usual country park setup - lakes, woodland trails, and open grassland that makes for easy walking if you're not in the mood for anything strenuous.

The lakes are the real draw. There's fishing available if you're that way inclined, and the water does attract a decent variety of birds and wildlife. Kids generally enjoy the farm side of things, though you need to check what's actually on when you visit, as it's not a full-blown petting zoo. The woodland paths are fine for pushchairs if you stick to the main routes, though it does get a bit muddy after rain.

It's free to get in, which is brilliant - you're essentially paying for parking if anything. Allow a solid two to three hours if you're bringing the family; longer if you're a keen walker and want to explore the full circuit. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekends, which matters if you want any sort of peace.

Stay at California Chalet & Touring Park next door and you're brilliantly positioned to pop in and out without faff. Wellington Country Park is only four miles away if you want to compare - it's got slightly better facilities but California is less crowded and does the job perfectly well for a morning or afternoon.