Midland Quarry

The old quarry at Midland has flooded into something quite lovely - a proper freshwater lake surrounded by worked stone and vegetation reclaiming what used to be an industrial site. It's the kind of place that sneaks up on you: unremarkable on approach, then suddenly there's water and trees and a genuine sense of calm.

Walkers get the most from it. There's space to loop around the perimeter without feeling hemmed in, and the contrast between the raw quarry face and the softer edges where nature's moving back in is genuinely interesting. Birdwatchers often show up; the water attracts mallard and the occasional heron. It's not a spectacle, but it's real and unpretentious.

The nearest town is Atherstone, a couple of miles off, which means you're not fighting crowds. That said, it's not exactly a day-long destination - an hour or ninety minutes covers it properly. Worth combining with a stay at Ettie's Field nearby if you're after a quieter Leicestershire break; the caravan park's only four or five miles away, making this an easy half-morning walk from your pitch.

No facilities to speak of, so bring water. It's free to access, which doesn't hurt. Go on a weekday morning if you can; weekends pull in the local dog walkers and it loses some of its stillness. The reflection of the quarry walls on calm days is the real draw here - photography types will appreciate the shapes.