Junction Pit Lagoon

The water at Junction Pit Lagoon sits impossibly blue on most days, the kind of colour you don't quite expect from an old industrial site near Burton-on-Trent. This former clay pit has transformed into a proper little nature reserve, and it's free to wander around. The lagoon itself is the main draw - you can walk the perimeter on decent paths, spot waterfowl if you time it right, and get some decent views across the water toward the surrounding woodland.

It's the sort of place that rewards a quiet morning rather than an afternoon scramble. Birdwatchers will find it worthwhile; kingfishers turn up regularly, and you'll see plenty of ducks and the occasional heron. Families with younger kids might find an hour enough before the flat terrain and limited facilities start to wear thin, but serious walkers treating it as part of a longer route through the area won't be disappointed.

The site doesn't have the manicured feel of a country park - it's wilder round the edges, with overgrown stretches and muddy patches depending on the season. That's rather the appeal if you ask me. Getting there requires a bit of local knowledge; parking is informal and limited, so check conditions before you head out. If you're staying at Peake's Retreats nearby, it makes a straightforward morning excursion. Late spring through early autumn is best, when the light hits the water properly and the wildlife is more active.