Caswell Lake

Caswell Lake sits just outside Towcester and is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - a proper working quarry that's been converted into a fishing lake, surrounded by enough grassland to make it feel like an actual escape rather than an industrial site dressed up. The water's calm, the banks are manageable, and there's genuine peace here, especially on weekday mornings before the angling crowd arrives in force.

If you're a keen fisherman, this is obviously your spot. Coarse fishing dominates, and the lake has a solid reputation locally for pike and perch. Non-anglers will find it pleasant enough for a walk, though you'll be honest with yourself - it's not dramatic, and the views won't stop you in your tracks. Kids might manage twenty minutes of poking about before asking what's next. That said, the grassy areas around the perimeter are fine for a picnic or a proper leg-stretch if you're camped nearby.

You're looking at twenty minutes from Kirkely Meadows, the highly-rated site 3 miles away, which means it's a natural addition to a broader park-based holiday in the area rather than a destination in itself. Spring and autumn tend to be quieter here. Bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching - there's decent waterfowl traffic - but don't expect access details or facilities to be particularly well-publicised. Best to ask locally once you've parked up.