Dilhorne Pool

The water at Dilhorne Pool sits calm and flat, reflecting the Staffordshire sky like a sheet of dark glass. It's a proper working reservoir rather than a manicured tourist attraction, which means you get the real thing - dog walkers, the odd fisherman, and families who know the area well enough to find it without GPS.

There's a decent loop walk around the perimeter if you fancy stretching your legs, and the banks are gentle enough that you won't feel like you're clambering up a mountainside. The closest you'll get to facilities is Stoke-on-Trent about five miles south, so come prepared with a flask if you're settling in for the afternoon. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick tick-off - bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching, because the reservoir attracts a fair few species.

This works brilliantly as a morning stop if you're based at Springfields Countryside Caravan and Camping Park, just 2.8 miles away, or Glencote and Woodview if you're staying a touch further out. It's not a destination in itself - you won't spend more than ninety minutes here comfortably - but it's exactly the kind of quiet, low-key spot that makes a park holiday feel less about ticking boxes and more about actually relaxing. The Midlands doesn't get much press for natural beauty, but Dilhorne Pool proves sometimes quiet places are better than noisy ones.