Bourley Lakes

Two tranquil lakes surrounded by woodland just outside Farnham - Bourley Lakes is exactly the sort of spot you'd stumble upon by accident and immediately think you've found something special. The water is clear enough to actually see fish, and the banks are lined with dense trees that make it feel properly secluded even though you're barely ten minutes from town.

It's a walker's place, really. There's no theme park nonsense or entrance fees - just a straightforward circuit around the lakes that takes a solid hour if you dawdle, forty minutes if you're keen. Kids will manage it without complaint, though they'll want to stop every few minutes to look for ducks. The footpaths are well-maintained and muddy in patches, so decent shoes are non-negotiable.

The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when you've got the place to yourself and the light hits the water properly. Midday can get a bit busy with dog walkers, but it's never rammed. There are no facilities here - no café, no toilet block - so come prepared.

If you're staying at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat nearby, this makes an easy morning walk before breakfast or a gentle evening stretch. Combine it with Waverley Abbey just down the road for a fuller day out. On its own, Bourley Lakes is more a pleasant break than a destination, but that's precisely why it works so well.