Thorpe Lakes UK

The Thames valley around Chertsey has some proper water features, and Thorpe Lakes is where you'll find one of the area's more substantial bodies of water. It's a working gravel extraction site that's been transformed into something locals actually use - fishing mostly, though the lakes have become a bit of a focal point for the wider landscape.

What you're looking at is a series of flooded quarries, the kind of thing that could've been an eyesore but instead offers decent walking around the perimeter and genuine wildlife spotting if you know what to look for. Water birds, the occasional heron if you're patient. It's not dramatic scenery - this is Surrey, not the Lake District - but it has a quiet appeal that works well as a break from driving between other attractions.

If you're staying at one of the local caravan parks - Chertsey Caravan Park is less than a mile away, or Laleham Camping Club about the same distance - it's worth a morning potter. Families with young children will get an hour out of it comfortably; walkers might extend that to two hours looping the lakes. Fishing enthusiasts will spend considerably longer. The access is straightforward from Chertsey itself, which means you're not burning fuel chasing something obscure.

Worth noting: facilities information is thin on the ground, so ring ahead if you're planning anything specific. It's free to walk around, which is the main draw. Best avoided mid-afternoon in summer when it's just glare and heat - early morning or late afternoon is when the place actually comes alive.