Thwing Mere

Water in the middle of nowhere - that's Thwing Mere, a shallow lake marooned in the flat expanse of the Yorkshire Wolds between Driffield and the coast. There's no visitor centre, no café, no car park to speak of. You just turn up, park on the verge if you can find a decent spot, and walk to the water's edge.

It's the kind of place that creeps up on you. The mere itself isn't dramatically beautiful - it's brown and moody more often than blue and sparkling - but it draws walkers and birdwatchers in decent numbers, especially early morning when the light's right and things are quiet. The surrounding landscape is completely open and honest; no theatre, no pretence. In autumn the place has real atmosphere.

Don't come expecting Windermere. This is proper local rambling territory. The walk around the perimeter isn't arduous, and it's the sort of thing that works well as part of a longer route across the Wolds rather than a destination in itself. Families with young children might manage thirty minutes before boredom sets in, but walkers and birdwatchers will spend a couple of hours without noticing the time pass.

If you're staying at Yorkshire Wolds Glamping just down the road, it's absolutely worth a morning visit. Pack binoculars if you've got them. Admission is free - there's nothing to pay - and there are no opening hours to worry about. Go whenever suits you, though the light is best before midday.