Lower Pond

The water's surprisingly clear when you get close to Lower Pond, which sits just outside Shildon in County Durham. It's a modest spot - no fancy facilities or visitor centre - but that's rather the point. You can walk the perimeter easily enough, taking in the open water and the fields that slope down towards it. The pond itself is the sort of place where you might spot waterfowl if you're quiet about it, and the surrounding landscape is gently rolling rather than dramatic.

This works best for a quiet morning walk or if you're passing through the area. History buffs might appreciate its location near Shildon's railway heritage, though the pond itself is just a straightforward body of water. Kids won't find a playground or anything to do besides look, so unless yours are the contemplative type, twenty minutes might be your lot.

The real value is how it slots into a wider County Durham ramble. Both Eden Grange Glamping and The Gables Pod Camping sit within striking distance - two and five miles respectively - making this a natural leg-stretch between accommodation and, say, a proper walk elsewhere. It costs nothing, opens whenever (being outdoors), and demands no planning. Bring a decent pair of wellies if it's been wet, and you'll be fine. It's the sort of place you remember not because it's spectacular, but because you were there on a decent day with decent people.