Trow Pool

Trow Pool sits quietly on the outskirts of Bicester, a modest water body that appeals mainly to anglers and dog walkers rather than sightseers making a special trip. It's a working fishing lake - reedy banks, decent fish stocks, the whole setup - and unless you've got a rod in hand, it won't keep you occupied for long. The walk around it takes maybe thirty minutes at a leisurely pace, and the setting is pleasant enough: flat Oxfordshire countryside, nothing dramatic, but solid and calm.

Who should bother? Serious fishermen, absolutely. Dog owners keen for a straightforward walk without crowds. Families won't find much to hold their attention for more than an hour, and kids will get restless quickly without the novelty of feeding ducks or playground equipment. The lake itself doesn't have the grandeur of somewhere like Windermere or even the quirkiness that makes a spot worth writing home about.

Access details are thin on the ground - the website situation is unclear, so it's worth ringing ahead or checking with Bicester's visitor information before driving out. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Glebe Leisure is only three miles away, Weston's four - it could make a fine morning stroll to break up a lazy day on the caravan site. Just don't expect fireworks. Trow Pool is what it is: functional, local, and decent for a constitutional walk if you're in the area.