Reed Pond

Reed Pond sits quietly on the outskirts of Nottingham, the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's a modest body of water ringed with reeds - hence the name - and it's genuinely peaceful, especially compared to the city bustle just a short drive away. The main appeal here is birdwatching. Bring binoculars and you'll spot everything from tufted ducks to the occasional heron picking through the shallows. The walk around the perimeter takes maybe thirty minutes at a leisurely pace.

It's not a destination in itself, but rather a proper bonus if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping sites. Peacock Lake Glamping and Gunthorpe Camping are both within three miles, making this an easy morning excursion before you head elsewhere. Families with young children might find it a bit tame after an hour - there's no café, no playground, just water and birds. But if you've got keen naturalists in the group, or if you simply want to escape the Nottingham suburbs for a bit of fresh air, it works.

The best time is early morning or late afternoon, when wildlife is most active and the light across the water is proper lovely. Bring a camera with a decent zoom if you're serious about the birdwatching. It's free to visit and there's usually somewhere to park nearby, though facilities are minimal. Not a must-do, but a solid add-on to a park-based holiday in Nottinghamshire.