Hall's Lake

Flat water stretches across this quiet Essex lake, reflecting whatever sky happens to be passing overhead. Hall's Lake won't make any postcards - it's the sort of unassuming spot that locals know about but tourists tend to miss entirely. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Anglers make up most of the regular visitors here, setting up along the banks with their tackle boxes and thermos flasks. The fishing's apparently decent enough to warrant the trip, though I'm no expert on what lurks beneath the surface. Families with young children might find it a bit limited - there's water, there are ducks, and that's about your lot for entertainment.

What it lacks in drama, it makes up for in proper peace and quiet. No jet skis, no speedboats, just the occasional plop of a fish jumping or the rustle of reed beds in the breeze. It's the sort of place where you could sit for an hour and actually hear yourself think.

For those staying at nearby holiday parks like Haven Orchards or Mersea Island Holiday Park, it makes a reasonable pit stop if you're after somewhere genuinely calm. Don't expect facilities - bring your own refreshments and don't count on finding public loos. Half an hour to an hour is plenty unless you're planning to fish, in which case you'll know what you're doing already.