St Andrews Lakes

Three lakes strung out across the Kent countryside near Meopham, and they're genuinely worth a stop if you're camping nearby. St Andrews Lakes is less a tourist attraction and more a proper local spot - the kind of place where you'll see people fishing, families having a wander, and the occasional heron doing its patient thing by the water's edge.

The walk round them is straightforward enough. Nothing strenuous, no scrambling about on rocks. You're looking at a couple of hours if you take your time and actually look at things, though you can whip round quicker if you're just stretching your legs. The light on the water in late afternoon is rather lovely, especially if you catch it before the sun drops behind the trees.

It's the kind of place that works well with a camping trip - Badgells Wood is barely three miles away, and Kits Coty Glamping not much further. If you're based at either of those, St Andrews Lakes makes a decent half-day expedition without the faff of loading kids into the car for somewhere miles off. Children will manage it fine unless they're the type who need constant entertainment, and it's good for that slow-paced stuff that camping trips should be about.

There's no visitor centre or cafe, so bring a flask if you want one. Access appears to be free, though do check locally as these things shift. Winter mornings can be misty and atmospheric. Summer weekends will be busier. Go on a Tuesday if you can manage it.