Mud Pond 1

Water this shallow and still tends to attract serious birdwatchers rather than swimmers, and Mud Pond lives up to its name - it's a working wetland rather than a scenic lake. The reward here isn't dramatic views but the kind of quiet observation that rewards patience: look for winter wildfowl, breeding waders in spring, or dragonflies skimming the surface come summer.

It sits just outside Newark, accessible for a morning walk if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like BrackenXcapes or Wigwam Holidays Orchard Stables. Bring binoculars and a bird guidebook rather than expecting a traditional lakeshore stroll. The banks can be muddy - hence the name - so decent footwear is essential.

This is proper nature reserve territory: quiet, unglamorous, and genuinely worth an hour if you're into wildlife or simply fancy some meditative time away from the caravan. History buffs might combine it with nearby Newark's Tudor castle and Georgian high street, which makes for a fuller day out. Families with young children should manage expectations - there's no playground or café, just reeds, water, and the genuine article. The pond works best in the shoulder seasons when migrating birds pass through, turning an unassuming Nottinghamshire wetland into something genuinely special.