Upper Tamar Lake

The water here is proper still on calm days, so still you can see the sky reflected back at you like a mirror. Upper Tamar Lake sits just inland from Bude, and it's one of those places that catches you off-guard with how peaceful it is. You get a decent walk around the perimeter - takes about forty minutes to an hour depending on your pace - with woodland on one side and open water on the other. It's a reservoir, so don't expect wild swimming, but it's undeniably lovely for a ramble.

Families with younger kids will find it manageable enough. The path is mostly level, though muddy patches crop up after rain, and there are a few spots where you can sit and actually hear yourself think. Birdwatchers come here too. If you're camping at Atlantic Horizons or Wooda Farm, both within easy striking distance, this makes for a solid half-day outing without the drama of a proper coastal hike.

Really, it depends what you want from it. If you're after something to break up a park holiday and get some air in your lungs, it does the job. But don't expect dramatic views or anything particularly photo-worthy. It's functional more than stunning - a local's lake rather than a destination in itself. Worth an afternoon, not worth driving across Cornwall specifically to see. Go if you're in the area already, stay dry-shod, and don't expect crowds.