Boating Lake

The lake itself is the draw here - a proper body of water where you can actually get out on the water rather than just gawk at it from the bank. Rowing boats and pedalos are available for hire, which means families with younger kids can do something genuinely engaging rather than a ten-minute walk that leaves everyone asking when they can leave.

If you're not into messing about in boats, the walking path around the perimeter is decent enough. Nothing spectacular - it's a local spot, not a dramatic landscape - but it does the job on a mild afternoon. The grass verges are flat, pushchairs are fine, and there are benches dotted about if someone needs a sit-down.

Walkers and nature types will find it pleasant but unspectacular. The real appeal is for families wanting a change of pace from the park routine, or couples who fancied an hour on the water without the faffing about of proper sailing. It's close enough to Southampton that you could squeeze it in mid-week without eating into your day.

Ashurst Campsite is only six miles away, so if you're based there, this works as a morning outing. Practical tip: go on a weekday if possible. Weekends attract the sort of crowd that makes queuing for a pedalo less fun than it sounds. Allow two to three hours if you're hiring a boat, less if you're just walking.