Carnsew Pool

The water at Carnsew Pool sits perfectly still most mornings, reflecting the Cornish sky like polished glass. It's a proper reservoir rather than a natural lake - built to supply the area around Uny Lelant - but it's absorbed itself into the landscape so thoroughly that most visitors forget it's man-made within minutes of arrival.

You can walk the perimeter, which takes a comfortable hour or so depending on how often you stop to actually look at things. The footpath is well-maintained and reasonably flat, making it accessible for families with younger kids or anyone not after a proper hike. Birdwatchers do well here - cormorants, herons, and various waterfowl make regular appearances. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing.

The pool itself is off-limits for swimming, but the surrounding grassland and trees make it a lovely spot to sit with a flask and a sandwich. It's free to access and there's no formal visitor centre, which is either refreshing or disappointing depending on your outlook. I found it peaceful rather than underwhelming.

For a park holiday in the area, it slots in nicely between Haven Riviere Sands (just under a mile away) and Polmanter Touring Park. It's the sort of place you'd add to a morning or afternoon rather than plan the day around, but it breaks up a seaside week without fuss. Best visited when it's not raining sideways - which, being Cornwall, isn't guaranteed.