The Pool

The Pool is exactly what it sounds like - a proper lake that sits just outside Telford, offering a splash of water in what's otherwise fairly built-up terrain. It's the kind of spot locals know about but tourists often miss, which is rather the point. The water's clear enough on a decent day, and there's decent walking around the shoreline if you're after a gentle circuit. Bring binoculars if you care about that sort of thing; the birdlife can be decent depending on the season.

Walkers will get the most out of it, honestly. An hour's amble around the perimeter is easy going, nothing steep, and you'll spot the occasional fisherman if you time it right. Families with younger kids might find it a bit dull unless they're the type to skip stones and hunt for newts in the shallows - there's no boathouse, no café, no pavilion. It's just water and banks, really.

Getting there from any of the nearby glamping spots - Shropshire Hills Glamping is barely a mile away, or Wayside Camping if you're after something cheaper - means you can slot it into a morning before heading elsewhere. Free to visit as far as we can tell, no gates or barriers. Best visited when it's not absolutely rammed with fishermen, so weekday mornings in shoulder season work well. Don't expect amenities. Go for the quiet and the walk.