New Pool

The water at New Pool sits dark and still, ringed by woodland that's proper atmospheric if you catch it on an overcast afternoon. It's a proper lake rather than some manicured pond, and it sits just outside Coalbrookdale - close enough to the Ironbridge area that you could easily tack it onto a broader day out exploring the industrial heritage sites.

What you're doing here is straightforward: walking around the perimeter, maybe spotting waterfowl, catching your breath at whatever benches are dotted about. It's not dramatic or showy. The appeal lies in the quietness of it, the fact that it feels genuinely separate from the touristy bits of Shropshire even though it's minutes away. Walkers will get the most from this - bring a decent pair of boots if there's been rain, because the paths can get boggy.

With camping just 0.7 miles away at Irongorge Camping, and several other parks within a short drive (Sytche and Hay & Hedgerow both under five miles off), this works well as a morning or late-afternoon circuit during a longer holiday in the area. You're looking at maybe an hour's walk depending on how contemplative you're feeling.

There's no fanfare here - no visitor centre, no entry fees as far as you can tell, just a lake and some woodland. That's rather the point. If you're after manicured gardens and gift shops, head to Ironbridge instead. If you want somewhere to clear your head and stretch your legs, New Pool does exactly what it says.