Spring Lakes Watersports & Leisure

The lakes at Spring Lakes sit just outside Nottingham, and they're the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. Water-based activities dominate here - kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing - so it's genuinely useful if you've got a group that can't agree on what to do for an afternoon. The setting is proper peaceful too, which catches people off guard given how close you are to the city.

Walkers and families with older kids will find plenty to occupy them. Younger children might lose interest after an hour or so unless there's water activity lined up beforehand. The fishing attracts a serious crowd, but you don't need to be experienced to have a crack at it.

It's the sort of spot that works brilliantly as a half-day addition to a longer break in the area. Meadow view glamping sits just 3.5 miles away if you're after a proper base, and both Midshires Way Campsite and Little Bunny Retreat are within easy reach too. You could easily combine a morning here with an afternoon exploring Nottingham proper, or slot it in between visits to other East Midlands attractions.

Worth ringing ahead to check what's on and what equipment hire costs - details aren't brilliant online. Summer's the obvious time, but spring and early autumn are quieter and often nicer weather-wise. Allow two to three hours if you're doing an activity, less if you're just having a walk round.