Fishing pit

The old fishing pit near Nantwich is one of those quiet corners of Cheshire that rewards a proper potter about. What you're looking at is a former extraction site that's been reclaimed as a nature reserve - the kind of place where the water's attracted everything from wildfowl to dragonflies, and the banks have gone properly wild with vegetation. It's not dramatic or showy. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of. Just water, birds, and the occasional angler setting up for the afternoon.

Walkers will find it decent enough for a circular stroll, though it's more of a 45-minute affair than a full day out. Birdwatchers and amateur naturalists absolutely should come - the variety here is genuinely impressive for something so understated. Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited after the initial excitement of spotting a few geese wears off, but older children interested in wildlife will be engaged.

Getting here from Nantwich is straightforward enough. The pit sits within reasonable striking distance of Sunny Side Touring Park and Marbury Camp if you're based at either. Worth combining with a walk into town or a visit to another local site rather than making it a sole destination. Go early morning or dusk if you want the best wildlife activity, and bring binoculars if you've got them. It's free, it's honest, and it does exactly what it says on the tin.