Forge Pool

Forge Pool sits just outside Kidderminster as a proper working lake - the sort of place locals know about but tourists often miss. It's a small reservoir with decent walking routes round the perimeter, and the water itself is quite clear on a good day, which makes for decent photography if you're into that sort of thing. The walking is straightforward, nothing steep, and you can do a circuit in under an hour if you're not stopping much.

This is primarily a spot for walkers and birdwatchers rather than swimmers or paddlers. The industrial heritage is palpable - the pool was created to serve the factories and forges that once drove Kidderminster's economy. That history gives the place a certain character, though it's not the sort of attraction you'd plan a day around on its own.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Wolverley Camping and Caravanning Club Site is only three miles away - it makes an easy morning or late afternoon leg-stretch. Combine it with a walk into Kidderminster town centre itself, where the carpet factories still dominate the skyline, and you've got a proper half-day outing. The glamping options at Pinewood Retreat, just under five miles off, would suit families wanting something more comfortable but still outdoorsy.

The lake works best in spring and autumn when the light's better and the birdlife more active. Summer weekends can bring out local runners and dog walkers, so go early if you want peace. Free to visit, naturally.