Circle pond

Circle Pond is a modest but rather charming water feature just outside Attleborough, the sort of place that rewards a quiet morning walk without demanding much fanfare. It's exactly what the name suggests - a circular pond, local and unadorned, where the real appeal lies in the stillness and the likelihood of spotting waterfowl rather than any grand landscape moment.

The pond works best for anyone after a gentle stroll, families with younger children who fancy a bit of duck-spotting, or locals wanting a quick leg-stretch. It's the sort of half-hour detour you build into a bigger day out rather than a destination in itself. That said, there's something pleasant about how unpretentious it is - no entrance fees, no crowds, just open water and whatever birds decide to show up.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Wild With Nature, Glamp & Tipple, or Applewood Countryside Holidays are all within a few miles - Circle Pond makes a fine addition to a ramble around the Norfolk countryside. Combine it with other local walks and you've got yourself a proper day out. The best light for a visit is early morning when the water's calm and birdlife is most active. Go midday in summer and you'll mostly see reflections and the occasional family wondering why they bothered.

It's free, naturally, and takes as long as you want it to. Twenty minutes if you're rushed, longer if you settle on a bench and remember to switch off for a bit.