Sutton Bingham

The water here is properly still on a quiet morning - you can see right down to the bottom in places, which is rare for a reservoir. Sutton Bingham sits just outside Yeovil, a decent-sized lake that works as both a working water supply and a spot where people actually come to spend time rather than just drive past. Walking the perimeter takes a solid couple of hours if you're not rushing, and the paths are well maintained without being overdone.

It's the sort of place that rewards a slow morning more than it rewards a quick visit. Bring binoculars if you're keen on birds - waterfowl do well here - and don't expect facilities that would make a seaside resort jealous. What you get instead is proper countryside quiet and the chance to stretch your legs without fighting crowds. Families with young kids will find it manageable, though there's not much to do beyond walking and looking, which suits some and bores others after an hour.

The glamping options nearby - Swallowfield just three miles away, or Dorset Forest Garden a bit further on - make this work well as part of a wider Dorset break. If you're basing yourself at one of those, Sutton Bingham fills a morning nicely without demanding a full day's commitment. Water level does dip in dry summers, which is worth knowing. It's free to visit, no gates or nonsense, just turn up and walk.