Old brick pit

The Old Brick Pit near Peterborough is exactly what its name suggests - a flooded quarry that's been reclaimed by nature and turned into a proper lake. The water's clear enough on a decent day, and you've got woodland edging most of it, which gives the whole spot a sense of being further from civilisation than it actually is.

It's brilliant for a relaxed walk round the perimeter, and birdwatchers absolutely come alive here. You'll spot herons, cormorants, and if you're lucky, kingfishers darting about. The paths are manageable for families with older kids, though pushchairs will struggle in places where it gets a bit muddy or uneven. There's something oddly satisfying about being somewhere that started as an industrial hole and is now genuinely tranquil.

Allow a solid hour for a proper loop, maybe ninety minutes if you're taking your time with binoculars. It's free to access, as far as I can tell - no gates, no charges. Spring and early summer are best; the lake's busy with life and the light's lovely on the water. Winter quiets things right down, which some people prefer.

If you're based at Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just five miles away, the Old Brick Pit makes a decent addition to a day out. It won't fill your whole afternoon, but paired with a proper walk along the Nene Valley nearby, you've got yourself something worth doing. Peterborough itself is minutes away if you need shops or food.