Leisure Centre

Newark's leisure centre is the sort of place you'll want to know about if you're staying at one of the nearby parks with restless kids in tow. It's a proper community facility with the usual suspects - swimming pools, gym equipment, sports courts - nothing fancy, but well-maintained and actually useful for a rainy afternoon or when cabin fever sets in.

The pools are the main draw. There's typically a main pool for lengths and a shallower area for younger swimmers, which makes it genuinely family-friendly rather than the chaotic free-for-all you sometimes get. The changing facilities are decent enough, and staff know what they're doing.

You'll get the most out of this if you're here with children, or if you're the sort who actually uses a gym when travelling. Walkers and history types will find it less compelling - you're not here for the architecture or views. Allow an hour or two depending on what you do.

Access varies by activity, and you'll need to check their current rates and opening hours before you arrive - these change seasonally. It's worth ringing ahead from Greenacres or Eastfield Glamping to confirm what's on when you visit.

For a park holiday in Nottinghamshire, it's a solid backup plan rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with exploring Newark's Georgian high street or the castle if the weather turns poor.