The Yateley Lakes

Two lakes sit quietly on the edge of Wokingham, separated by a thin strip of woodland and accessible via the Blackwater Valley Path if you know where to look. The larger of the two has a proper walking circuit around it - takes about forty minutes at a steady pace - while the smaller one feels more intimate, almost forgotten. The water's dark and still, reflecting whatever sky you're lucky enough to get on the day you visit.

Walkers get the most from Yateley Lakes. The paths are straightforward, flat enough for families with buggies, and you'll see anglers setting up along the banks most weekends. If you've got binoculars, bring them - the lakes pull in a decent variety of birds, particularly in autumn. It's not dramatic landscape, but there's something calming about it that makes the short drive from Wokingham worthwhile.

Free to access and open all hours as far as anyone can tell, though you'll want to avoid it in peak summer when the car park fills up by mid-morning. Spring and early autumn are proper lovely here. Allow ninety minutes if you fancy the full circuit and don't mind a wander through the trees.

If you're based at California Chalet just down the road, this breaks up a park holiday without requiring any serious travel. It won't blow your mind, but it's the sort of place that reminds you why getting outside matters.