Moat lake

The water at Moat Lake sits dark and still, ringed by trees that give the place a properly secluded feel despite being just outside Retford. It's a working fishery, so you'll spot anglers most days casting their lines along the banks, which sets the tone - this isn't a fancy leisure destination, it's somewhere locals come to do something.

Walking the perimeter takes a decent chunk of an hour if you're in no rush, and the paths are well-trodden enough not to cause grief. Birdwatchers will find plenty to occupy them, particularly if you come early or late in the day when things are quieter. The lake itself isn't enormous, so don't expect sprawling vistas, but there's something quite satisfying about the scale of it - intimate rather than grand.

Families with young kids might manage 30 minutes before restlessness kicks in, unless they're genuinely keen on water and wildlife. Teenagers probably won't get much from it. If you're based at Hallcroft Fishery right next door, or staying at Olive Tree Caravan Park a couple of miles up the road, it's an easy leg-stretch and a change of scene. Free to access, no facilities that I could spot, so bring what you need.

It works best as a companion to bigger outings in the area - pair it with Clumber Park six miles away if you want a proper day out. On its own, Moat Lake is a 45-minute diversion rather than a destination in itself.