Staunton Harold Sailing Club

The water at Staunton Harold is proper calm - which makes sense when you realise this sailing club sits on a reservoir that's been here since the 1960s. It's a working marina, not a tourist attraction in the traditional sense, but that's exactly why it's worth a look if you're camping or glamping nearby.

You'll see dinghies and small keelboats moored up, the kind of scene that makes you want to learn to sail immediately or at least sit with a coffee and watch others do it. The club itself runs sailing courses and social events, so there's genuine activity here rather than just a scenic spot. The walk around the water is pleasant enough - flat terrain, few crowds, and you get that sense of a proper sailing community going about their business.

If you're staying at Field of Dreams Glamping just down the road, or Hill Farm Camping a couple of miles further on, this fills an hour or so nicely on a non-beach day. Don't expect facilities or a café - this is members-focused rather than visitor-oriented. But it's free to walk around and soak in the atmosphere, and there's something rather lovely about watching water sports in the East Midlands countryside where you least expect them. Autumn's best, when the light's golden and the place feels less busy.