Chinnor Quarry 1

The old chalk quarry near Chinnor has flooded into a proper lake, and it's become one of those quiet spots where you actually want to linger. It's not dramatic or vast - the water's clear enough to see why anglers rate it, and the chalk-pale banks give it an almost Mediterranean feel on a bright day, which feels oddly out of place in Buckinghamshire.

You can walk the perimeter fairly easily. The whole circuit takes about an hour if you're not in a rush, and the paths are mostly level, which makes it accessible for families with younger kids or anyone who can't manage steep terrain. The banks are steep enough that you won't get lost, but shallow enough in places that paddlers sometimes bring kayaks - though you'd want to check current access rules before you turn up.

It's free to visit and there's no formal opening hours that I can find, which is refreshing. Go early morning or late afternoon if you want it to yourself. Midday, especially weekends, tends to attract a mix of walkers and locals who know the spot.

For a park-based holiday in the area, it slots in nicely with the other walks around High Wycombe. Home Farm Camping and Bella Vista are both within a couple of miles, so you could easily make this a stop on a longer ramble. It won't hold your attention for a full day on its own, but it's the kind of place that justifies a morning outing, especially if you're after somewhere calm rather than somewhere showy.