Shirley Pond

Shirley Pond sits just outside Ashurst in Hampshire, a modest stretch of water that punches above its weight if you know what you're after. It's the sort of place locals have known about for years - nothing flashy, no visitor centre or tearooms, just a proper body of water ringed by trees and footpaths.

The main draw here is straightforward: a quiet walk around the water's edge, decent birdwatching opportunities, and that rare thing of finding somewhere genuinely peaceful without having to trek into the middle of nowhere. The surrounding woodland is pleasant rather than dramatic, and depending on the season you'll see different things - dragonflies in summer, winter reflections when it's cold. It's a decent leg-stretch on a camper's day off.

Truth be told, this isn't a destination in itself. But staying at either Ashurst Campsite or Matley Wood (both nearby and both well-reviewed), it's the sort of spot worth an hour or two rather than a full afternoon. Bring binoculars if you're keen on birds, otherwise just turn up and enjoy the quiet. There's no fee involved - it's simply there to wander about.

Best suited to walkers and bird enthusiasts rather than families wanting something to occupy the kids for half a day. Winter is pleasant for the reflections; spring and summer bring more wildlife activity. It works nicely as a gentle counterpoint to busier forest parks in the area, and that's rather the point.