Sandhill Lake

The water at Sandhill Lake sits calm most mornings, reflecting whatever sky Nottinghamshire decides to throw at it. It's a modest affair - nothing that'll knock your socks off - but that's rather the point. Near Worksop, this is proper local territory, the kind of place families pop to for an hour without needing to book ahead or spend a fortune.

You can walk around it, which most people do. The paths are straightforward enough, good for children who need to burn off energy without requiring mountaineering boots. Fishermen come here too - there's usually someone with a rod by the water's edge. It's the sort of lake where you might spot ducks and the occasional heron if you're patient, though don't expect it to feel like David Attenborough's just left the scene.

The real value comes from pairing it with Clumber Park, just a couple of miles away. That's where the proper walking happens - the National Trust estate has woodland trails and an actual lake worth lingering by. Sandhill works as a quieter warm-up or an easy evening outing if you're staying at Riverside Caravan Park or the Clumber Park lodges. Free to visit, takes about 45 minutes if you're not rushing. Worth the detour? Only if you're already in the area. As a destination on its own, you'd find yourself done and looking for something else to do within the hour.