Great Lake

The Great Lake sits just outside Worksop, a proper expanse of water that cuts through the landscape like someone's drawn a line with a ruler. It's the sort of place where you can actually breathe - open sky, water stretching out, and enough space that you won't feel hemmed in even on a decent weekend.

Walkers get the most from this one. The paths around the lake are straightforward enough, and you can burn off a good couple of hours here without it feeling like a proper trudge. The water itself is the main event - it's peaceful, especially early morning or late afternoon when the light does something a bit special. Bring binoculars if you're into birds, because they're around in decent numbers.

It's free to visit and access appears unrestricted, though it's worth knowing the lake can look quite moody in grey weather. Worksop's close by for supplies or a decent cup of tea if you need one. The real draw here is combining it with a stay at one of the nearby parks - Clumber Park Lodges is barely a couple of miles away, and Sherwood Forest Holiday Park sits at around 5 miles. If you're basing yourself at any of those, the Great Lake makes for a solid half-day outing that doesn't demand much planning. It won't blow your mind, but it's the sort of spot you'll find yourself coming back to during a park holiday, especially if the weather's kind.