Leegomery Pools

The pools themselves are unremarkable at first glance - two connected stretches of water near Coalbrookdale that most people miss entirely. But that's rather the point. Come here if you want somewhere genuinely quiet, without the crowds that clog the more famous spots in Shropshire.

They're ideal for a gentle walk and a spot of birdwatching. The water's too cold and murky for swimming, so don't expect seaside vibes. Instead, you get a proper natural setting where you might actually see something - herons, kingfishers if you're lucky, and the sort of ducks that ignore you completely. The banks are accessible but muddy when wet, so decent boots matter.

Worth allowing an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're dawdling. Families with young kids might find it a bit slow after a bit - there's no playground, no cafe, just water and trees. But for walkers and birders, it's exactly what it should be. The nearby industrial heritage of Coalbrookdale adds a certain charm to the landscape too - you're looking at water that's been shaped by centuries of human activity, not untouched nature.

If you're staying at Irongorge Camping, it's just five miles away and makes an easy morning outing before heading somewhere with more bells and whistles. Free access, no facilities to speak of, and blissfully ordinary. That's the appeal.