Lyons's Pool

A proper little lake tucked away near Kidderminster, Lyons's Pool is the sort of place locals know about and visitors stumble upon by accident. The water itself is calm and reflective, surrounded by enough greenery to make you forget you're in the West Midlands for a bit. It's ideal if you want a short walk without committing to something massive - you can circle the whole thing in under an hour depending on the path condition.

Families with young kids will get the most from this. There's no dramatic landscape or ancient history to bore them senseless, but the open water and gentle banks mean you can let them run about safely whilst you have a sit down. Dog walkers absolutely love it here. If you're staying at Stanmore Hall Touring Park - which is only a handful of miles away - this makes a decent morning outing before heading back for lunch.

The pool doesn't demand much in terms of planning. No fancy facilities that I'm aware of, so bring your own supplies. Winter and early spring when the light cuts across the water properly are when it looks best, though summer weekends tend to get a bit busy with families doing exactly what I've described.

Worth the detour? Not if you're in Shropshire specifically for dramatic landscapes or castles. But if you're based nearby and want a gentle hour outdoors without overthinking it, Lyons's Pool ticks the box.