Fradley pool

The canal junction at Fradley is one of those spots that rewards you for taking the back route rather than the main road. Two waterways meet here - the Coventry Canal and the Trent and Mersey - creating a proper focal point for anyone exploring the inland waterways around Burton-on-Trent.

What you're really here for is the water itself and the lock system. The junction pool is shallow and calm, ringed by towpaths that give you decent views without having to scramble about. If you're stopping for ten minutes or a couple of hours, it works either way. Narrowboats come through regularly, which kids find absorbing enough - there's something hypnotic about watching lock gates open and the water levels shift.

Walkers get the better deal here than sightseers. The towpaths stretch out in multiple directions, so you can easily link Fradley into a longer ramble. The area's fairly flat, which means it's accessible for most fitness levels, though the paths can be muddy after rain. Canal-side walks go on for miles if you're keen.

It's free and there's no formal visiting hours - you just turn up and wander. Fishermen use the pool regularly, and it's the kind of place where you'll see kingfishers if you're patient and quiet early in the morning. If you're staying at Kingfisher Holiday Park just down the road, Fradley Junction makes a solid morning excursion before heading elsewhere. Don't expect grand monuments or visitor facilities. This is about the canal heritage itself and the simple appeal of watching water move.