Horse Pond

The water here is proper still on a calm morning - the sort of flat mirror that makes you wonder why more people bother with seaside holidays. Horse Pond sits quietly on the Warwickshire-West Midlands border, a modest lake that does exactly what it says on the tin without any fuss or pretension.

It's a straightforward spot for a walk and a sit-down. The banks are accessible enough, good for families who want their kids to spot the ducks and geese without needing climbing gear or special permits. You won't find ice cream vans or facilities here - bring a flask if you want one. Walkers heading out from nearby Daventry often loop past it as part of a longer ramble rather than making it their sole destination, which is fair enough.

The real appeal is if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Coleman's Hill Campsite, EWE Glamping, or Hill Farm Glamping are all within six miles, and they're genuinely good bases for the area. Having this lake on your doorstep for a morning constitutional before breakfast is the sort of small luxury that makes a park holiday work. It's not going to wow anyone with dramatic scenery or rare wildlife, but it's peaceful, it's free, and on a quiet afternoon it feels like you've stumbled onto something the tourists haven't found yet. Allow half an hour to an hour depending on how leisurely you're feeling.