Merton Borrow Pit

A shallow expanse of water south of Oxford that most people drive past without noticing. Merton Borrow Pit is exactly what its name suggests - a former gravel extraction site that's slowly transformed into something worth stopping for. The banks are lined with rough vegetation, and depending on the season, you'll spot waterfowl paddling about or just the quiet shimmer of water reflecting sky.

It's the sort of place that appeals to birdwatchers more than families after a day out. Bring binoculars and you might catch sight of grebes or the occasional heron. The walking is straightforward - there's no formal trail but you can pick your way around the perimeter if the ground isn't waterlogged. Walkers tackling the nearby Oxford countryside will find it a decent spot to break the journey, though it's not a destination in itself.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow 20 minutes unless you're really keen on the birds. Winter and early spring are best when migrant species pass through. It works well if you're based at Weston Caravan and Campsite just two miles away, or using Greenhill Leisure Park as a base for exploring the wider area. The pit fits into a wider walk rather than standing alone - combine it with a proper woodland trail in the Oxfordshire valleys for a fuller afternoon. Not worth a special trip from town, but if you're staying nearby and fancy a quiet water margin walk without crowds, it fills that gap.