Lily Pond

The water's still as glass most mornings, reflecting whatever sky decides to show up. Lily Pond sits near Chipping Campden in Warwickshire - a proper pocket-sized lake that punches above its weight for a quiet afternoon away from the honey-coloured Cotswold bustle. You'll find water lilies doing their thing in season, the sort of spot where you might actually hear yourself think.

It's not a destination that demands hours, but that's rather the point. Twenty minutes to an hour works for most people - a walk around the perimeter, perhaps a sit-down if you've brought a book, maybe spot some birds if you're lucky. Children will get a kick out of spotting waterfowl, though it's genuinely not the kind of place that'll occupy them for a full morning. History buffs won't find much here, but if you're after a bit of green space between proper attractions, it does the job.

Free to visit from what we can gather, with no obvious restrictions. Worth timing your visit for late afternoon when the light softens across the water and fewer families are milling about. If you're staying at Monks' Barn Farm - just under six miles away - this makes an easy detour on a circular walk through the area. It's the sort of location that works best as part of something bigger rather than a sole mission, but on the right day, with the right mood, it's genuinely lovely.