Korda Lake

The lake sits just outside Uxbridge, a proper working body of water that feels refreshingly ordinary in the way British countryside lakes often do. No twee cafes or gift shops - just water, sky, and the kind of quiet you don't often find this close to London.

It's a walker's spot more than anything else. The paths around it are straightforward, nothing that'll have you scrambling up hills, and it takes a solid hour to work your way round without rushing. Birdwatchers come here regularly, which tells you something about what you'll find - plenty of waterfowl, the occasional heron if you're patient. On a clear day the water reflects everything properly, which sounds like hyperbole but genuinely does make for decent photos.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited after the initial lap. There's no playground, no ice cream van, nowhere to splash about safely. Teenagers and serious walkers, though, will appreciate it exactly as it is. You could easily combine it with Highclere Caravan and Camping Park five miles away if you're after a proper base - the park itself gets strong reviews and puts you in decent reach of the wider Buckinghamshire walks.

It's free, which is refreshing. Allow an hour for a proper walk, maybe ninety minutes if you stop to watch birds. Best visited on a weekday morning when Uxbridge commuters aren't about. Nothing flashy, just solid countryside on your doorstep.