Droitwich Spa Lido

The lido sits right in Droitwich Spa, a market town about ten miles from Worcester, and it's the sort of place that gets busy on hot days - properly rammed with local families and swimmers who know what they're after. You're looking at an outdoor pool setup with the kind of chlorine-and-concrete appeal that British lidos have had for decades. It works, though. If you've got kids who need to burn energy and you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Mill House, The Wharf, or Twin Oaks are all within spitting distance - this saves the day when the weather finally turns decent.

The pool itself is straightforward: open-air swimming without pretension. You'll get a proper workout if that's your thing, or you can let the children splash about while you read on the side. The water's heated through much of the season, which makes a difference. Allow two to three hours if you're making an afternoon of it; any longer and frankly you'll have had enough sun.

Admission isn't free - you'll pay a few quid per person, which is fair enough - and opening hours vary by season, so check Wychavon Leisure's website before you head over. Summer months are obviously best. Winter? Forget it. If you're basing yourself at Lenchford Meadow or Amber's Bell Tent Glamping further out, the lido makes a solid half-day outing when you need a break from the caravan routine. Not spectacular, but solid.