Stoutshill Lake

The water at Stoutshill Lake sits calm and reflective most mornings, ringed by trees that lean in as if checking their own faces. It's a proper working quarry lake just outside Gloucester - the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for, though it's worth knowing about if you're camping nearby.

There's fishing here if you've got a rod and a licence, which draws a regular crowd of anglers who know what they're after. The walk around the perimeter isn't strenuous, maybe forty minutes if you meander, and it's the kind of spot where you might see herons or common terns depending on the season. The banks are accessible enough for a casual stroll, though it's not manicured or tourist-dressed - it feels more genuine for that.

Families with older kids get more from it than the under-fives brigade. There's no playground, no cafe, nothing designed to entertain anyone for hours on end. What you get is quiet water, birdsong, and space to breathe - which, frankly, is exactly what many of us need. The nearest caravan parks are The Riverside at The George Inn and Pepper Pot, both rated highly, sitting just under five miles away. It's the kind of place to slot into a lazy morning walk rather than build a day around, but if you're staying in the Gloucester area and fancy something genuine, it's well worth the short drive out.