Hatchmere

Walking along the sandy shoreline feels more like a trip to a remote Scottish loch than a day out in Cheshire. Hatchmere sits quietly within Delamere Forest, its dark waters reflecting the surrounding pine trees and heathland that give this corner of the county an unexpectedly wild feel.

This isn't your typical English lake. Created as a mill pond centuries ago, it's now one of the few places in Cheshire where you can spot sand martins nesting in the steep sandy banks. The water stays bracingly cold even in summer, though that doesn't stop the occasional brave soul from taking a dip.

Families with older children who don't mind a proper walk will love the circular path that takes about an hour to complete. Younger ones might get restless - there's no playground or café, just the lake and forest paths. Dog walkers practically own the place, and rightly so.

Birdwatchers should bring binoculars. Great crested grebes nest here, and if you're lucky, you might spot a kingfisher darting between the reeds near the northern shore.

From any of the nearby holiday parks around Delamere - Wild Shore Delamere and Lady Heyes are both within easy reach - this makes a lovely morning expedition before the crowds arrive at the more popular forest trails. It's free to visit and feels properly off the beaten track, despite being just a short drive from Northwich.