Three Brooks Lake

The water at Three Brooks Lake sits glassy and still most mornings, reflecting the Gloucestershire sky with an almost unsettling perfection. It's a modest affair - nothing grand or showy - but that's rather the point. You're looking at three separate brooks that converge into a single body of water, which sounds more dramatic than it plays out, but the ecology of the thing is genuinely interesting if you're the sort who cares about watershed hydrology.

Walkers will find this worthwhile on a round from Wotton-under-Edge, roughly six miles away. The lake itself doesn't demand hours - you can walk the perimeter in under an hour at a decent pace - but it slots nicely into a longer countryside ramble through the Cotswold fringe. Bring binoculars if you're at all keen on birds. I saw a couple of herons on my last visit, plus the usual ducks and coots, though I'd hesitate to call it a world-class birdwatching destination.

There's nothing here in terms of facilities or formal admission, which means you can turn up whenever suits you. It's the sort of place that appeals to people who actually want a walk rather than a destination - hikers, nature types, anyone escaping the manicured gardens circuit. Families with restless children might find it a bit underwhelming for the travel time, though older kids who read maps will appreciate navigating to it.

If you're staying at Wixoldbury Farm Glamping nearby, this makes a pleasant morning outing before heading to the more celebrated attractions around Symonds Yat or the Forest of Dean. It won't change your life, but it's proper walking country.