Canoe Lake

The water at Canoe Lake sits perfectly still most mornings, which is precisely why it's popular with paddlers and anyone after a bit of peace near Hayling Island. It's a proper inland lake - shallow, sheltered, and ideal if you want to get a canoe or kayak out without fighting the Solent's chop. The setting is low-key: reedy banks, a few trees, and honestly more functional than scenic. You won't find dramatic views or steep cliffs. What you get instead is access to the water itself, which matters if that's what you're after.

This is a spot for doing rather than gawping. Canoeists and kayakers obviously make the most of it, but it's decent for a quiet walk round the perimeter if you're based nearby. Children can handle it - there's enough to look at (water birds, the occasional splash) without demanding much energy. Allow an hour to potter about, longer if you're actually getting on the water.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks dotted around Hayling Island - Hayling Island Holiday Park and Kingfisher are closest at four miles or so - Canoe Lake makes a sensible morning diversion. It's close enough to reach without faffing about, and it breaks up a beach-focused holiday. Don't expect crowds or facilities, mind. It's functional and genuinely quiet, which is either exactly what you want or slightly underwhelming depending on your mood. Aim for weekday mornings when the water's calmest.