Pirton Pool

Ten minutes south of Worcester, this fishing lake sits quietly in Worcestershire countryside without much fanfare. Pirton Pool is the sort of spot that anglers know about but walkers often stumble upon by accident.

The lake itself is decent sized and holds a good head of coarse fish - carp, bream, and roach feature regularly in catches. Serious fishermen will appreciate the well-maintained banks and reasonable peg spacing. There's a proper car park, which immediately puts it ahead of some farm ponds in the area.

Families might find it a bit limited unless they're into fishing. The water's pleasant enough for a gentle stroll around the perimeter, but you'll have done the full circuit in twenty minutes. Kids who aren't holding a rod will get restless fairly quickly.

Being this close to Worcester means you're well placed for combining a fishing session with other activities. The nearby holiday parks like Seaborne Leisure and Riverside Caravan Park put you within easy reach of the Malvern Hills and Worcester's cathedral quarter.

It's the kind of place that serves its purpose well without trying to be anything fancy. Dedicated anglers will get a solid day's sport, while others might prefer the more dramatic scenery that the Malverns offer just a few miles west.