Floors Loch

Water this calm and still doesn't come around often. Floors Loch, just outside Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway, is a proper little freshwater lake that rewards a quiet morning or late afternoon visit. The walk round it takes about an hour depending on your pace, and the paths are mostly easy going - nothing that'll test your knees.

It's the kind of place where you might spot a heron, actually see fish breaking the surface, hear nothing but the occasional bird. Photographers love it when the light's right, and if you've got binoculars, the birdwatching can be genuinely good. Families with younger kids might find it a touch dull if they're expecting thrills - there's no playground, no cafe, just you and the water. But that's rather the point.

The loch sits perfectly between several caravan parks - Mollance Farm is barely three miles away, and you've got Galloway Glamping, Kippford View, and Glenearly all within easy driving distance. It makes a lovely break from park activities, especially if the weather's behaving itself. Come when it's not packed with anglers early morning, and you'll have the place almost to yourself.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper outing of it - walk, sit, maybe bring a flask. Best in spring or early summer when the light lingers and the water's calm enough to mirror the sky.