Monks Pit

Monks Pit is a small lake sitting just outside Huntingdon, and it's the sort of place you'd stumble upon by accident rather than plan a pilgrimage to. It's quiet - properly quiet - with decent walking potential around the water and banks that don't require serious fitness. The lake itself is unremarkable in the way that English countryside water often is, but that's rather the point. No crowds, no gift shops, no forced attractions.

Walkers will get the most from it. You can do a circuit in an hour or so without breaking a sweat, spotting the occasional waterfowl if you're lucky. Families with young kids might find it a bit limited - there's no playground, no visitor facilities that I could find, no particular reason to linger for more than an afternoon. But if you want a proper stretch of the legs away from the main roads while exploring the Huntingdon area, it works well enough.

If you're based at Grafham Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby - only 5.8 miles away - Monks Pit makes a decent alternative walk for a quieter morning or late afternoon. The bigger lake has more going on, but this one has charm through sheer simplicity. Pack a thermos, bring a book, and don't expect anything earth-shattering. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.