Smith's Pool

A proper working quarry lake tucked away near Stoke-on-Trent, Smith's Pool isn't your typical tourist spot - it's the kind of place locals know about and visitors stumble upon by accident. The water itself is the main draw: clear enough to see why anglers camp here, surrounded by craggy stone walls that rise up from the shoreline. It's not a manicured beauty spot. There's an industrial feel to it, which is part of the appeal if you're after something a bit different.

Walkers and fishermen get the most from it. The paths around the pool work well for an easy circuit, nothing too demanding, and you can spend a good 90 minutes pottering about without feeling rushed. The banks are fairly accessible, though the ground can be muddy after rain. Kids will find it interesting for a bit - throwing stones into the water, spotting fish - but they won't stay entertained for hours.

It's free to visit, no barriers or facilities to speak of, just turn up and have a look around. Best visited on a decent day when the light catches the water properly and you can actually see into it. The quarry walls photographs well if you're that way inclined.

Combine it with Stone Wall Farm CL nearby, a well-rated site just five miles out, and you've got an easy morning or afternoon outing. Stoke-on-Trent is close enough if you need supplies or fancied hitting the pottery museums afterwards, though Smith's Pool itself is quiet and worth the visit on its own terms.