Central Park

You'd be forgiven for thinking Central Park is some transplanted slice of Manhattan, but this 227-acre nature reserve sits right on Peterborough's doorstep and is entirely its own thing. The Nene Valley Park, as locals call it, is essentially a flooded former quarry that's been left to do what nature does best - and it works brilliantly.

The main draw is the water. There's a lake at the heart of it, proper serene on a calm day, ringed by meadows and woodland that genuinely feel removed from the suburban sprawl just beyond the perimeter. Walking trails crisscross the whole thing, ranging from easy flat loops to slightly more demanding stretches. Birdwatchers absolutely love it - you'll spot everything from lapwings to the occasional kingfisher if you're patient. Families with younger kids do well here too, though there's not a great deal to keep them occupied beyond "look at the water and the ducks" for more than a couple of hours.

It's free to access and you can spend anywhere from ninety minutes to a full afternoon depending on how many trails you cover. Spring and early summer are best - autumn's decent too, but winter can be a bit bleak and muddy. If you're camped at Ferry Meadows, which is barely three miles away, or Nene Outdoors, Central Park makes for a straightforward morning or late-afternoon stroll. It's not dramatic, and it won't blow your mind, but it's reliable, accessible, and genuinely pleasant for a walk. No pretence about it.