Marine Lake

Sandy-bottomed and surprisingly warm, this artificial lake sits just behind Burnham-on-Sea's seafront promenade, offering a proper swimming spot when the Bristol Channel's mud flats aren't quite what you had in mind. Created as part of the town's sea defences, Marine Lake fills with filtered seawater and provides a safe paddling area that's particularly popular with families.

Kids love it here - the water's shallow enough for confident splashing about, and there's none of the unpredictable tides or strong currents you get on the main beach. The concrete surround isn't exactly glamorous, but it does the job for spreading out towels and keeping an eye on little ones.

Walkers often stop by during longer rambles along the coast path, though don't expect wilderness views. This is very much a functional town facility rather than a beauty spot. The lake works best as a quick cooling-off stop rather than an all-day destination.

From the holiday parks around Brean and Burnham-on-Sea, it's an easy walk or short drive into town. Golden Sands and Yellow Sands guests often combine a lake visit with fish and chips on the prom. The water's cleanest after spring tides have given it a good flush through, and summer evenings can be lovely when the day-trippers have headed home.