Upton Dyke

Water so still it looks like glass, and you could spend a morning just watching the light change across it. Upton Dyke is a proper Norfolk lake - the kind of place where you actually slow down without meaning to. It's a modest body of water, nothing fancy, but that's rather the point. Anglers know it well, and you'll often spot them along the banks early on, though the real appeal is simply being near water in flat, open countryside.

Walkers get the most from it. There's something about following the dyke's edges, catching the occasional flash of kingfisher, hearing the reed warblers doing their thing. It's not a circuit you'd tackle in hiking boots - more a gentle mosey, the kind where you notice things. Twenty minutes to an hour, depending on mood and whether you've brought binoculars.

Family groups might find it a bit quiet, if I'm honest. There's no café, no playground, no reason to linger once you've done the walk. But if you're staying at Millview Meadow Glamping nearby and want a peaceful spot to decompress between activities, it's ideal. Early morning or late afternoon suits it best - fewer people, better light on the water, and the birdlife's more active.

It won't set your pulse racing, but it's the sort of Norfolk spot that reveals itself to people who aren't chasing Instagram moments. Worth a detour if you're in the area. Don't make it your only stop, but do make it a stop.