Main Lake

The water here is proper dark and still, reflecting whatever sky you've got on the day you visit. Main Lake near Everthorpe isn't some manicured tourist trap - it's a genuinely quiet spot where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rarer than you'd expect these days.

It's the kind of place that works best if you're after a walk rather than a destination in itself. The lake is there, yes, and it's pleasant enough to look at, but you won't spend three hours staring at water. What makes it worthwhile is the surrounding countryside - flat, open fields that stretch properly far, and a handful of footpaths that let you move around without hitting fences every five minutes. Birdwatchers will find it worth stopping for; walkers will appreciate it as a halfway point rather than a destination.

You can access it free, and there's no admission charge. Allow 30 minutes to an hour if you're just having a look and a quick stroll. If you're doing a proper countryside walk, you'd factor it in as part of a longer route.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Little Wold Away Glamping or William's Den are both close by - it's a decent alternative to sitting on site. Willow Pond Caravan Site is just down the road too. It breaks up a day better than anything else in the immediate area, though honesty demands I say the East Yorkshire flatlands aren't everyone's idea of scenic. For families with very young kids, it's a bit underwhelming. For walkers wanting to escape without crowds, it's exactly right.