Ferry Meadows in Nene Park

The River Nene winds through this sprawling country park on Peterborough's doorstep, and Ferry Meadows is where locals actually come to breathe. It's less the postcard version of parkland and more the real thing - open grassland, mature trees along the water, and proper walking routes that don't feel like you're following a theme park queue.

You get a lake, which is decent for a splash about or fishing if you're that way inclined, and the paths are flat enough for pushchairs but interesting enough that you won't feel like you're just pushing in circles. There's a visitor centre, though it's worth checking what's on before you go. The whole setup works because it doesn't try too hard - it's just a good place to walk the dog, let kids run about, or sit on a bench with a coffee and actually think.

Camping here is genuinely excellent. Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits practically on the park boundary and has a five-star rating for a reason - it's well-run, proper facilities, and you wake up to green space. Nene Outdoors is even closer if you want something more low-key. For those after something softer, The Nest Glamping a few miles out gives you proper beds without tent faff.

Who gets the most from it? Families wanting somewhere their kids can actually move about freely, walkers after gentle riverside routes, and anyone near Peterborough needing an escape that doesn't require a two-hour drive. It's not dramatic or famous, which is rather the point.