Gresford Pond

The pond at Gresford sits quietly on the edge of the village, about six miles south of Chester, and it's one of those places that rewards a gentle wander rather than a rushed visit. The water reflects the surrounding trees properly well, especially when the light's right in late afternoon, and there's a decent walk around the perimeter if you're after a leg-stretch without anything too strenuous.

It's the sort of spot families with younger children won't tire of quickly - there's room to run about, the water's interesting without being dramatic, and if you time it right you might spot water birds. The real appeal, though, is that it doesn't feel manicured or over-managed. This is village life rather than a tourist attraction, which means you'll have the place largely to yourself on a weekday morning.

If you're staying at Manor Wood - a solid choice for a park holiday in the area - Gresford Pond makes for a natural diversion on the way to Chester itself. It won't eat up much time, maybe an hour if you're unhurried, but it breaks up the drive nicely. The nearby village has a proper parish church worth a glance if you're interested in that sort of thing, and there's decent enough countryside walking if you fancy stretching your legs properly.

Freely accessible and no faffing about with opening times. Go on a calm morning when the reflection's best.