Virginia Water Lake

Virginia Water Lake is a proper sprawl of water surrounded by woodland in Bracknell Forest, and it's the sort of place where you can spend a solid afternoon without feeling rushed. The lake itself was created in the 1750s as a landscaping feature, and walking the perimeter gives you a genuine sense of scale - this isn't some municipal pond, it's genuinely impressive. You'll find yourself among tall pines and rhododendrons, which makes it feel rather more countryside than suburban Surrey, despite being only a few miles from Chertsey.

The whole circuit takes about an hour at a gentle pace, though plenty of people just do a section and call it done. Families with young legs will appreciate the relatively flat terrain, and it's the kind of walk where you might spot water birds or the occasional heron if you're lucky. Photographers tend to linger here too - the reflections in still mornings are rather good.

It's free to access, and there's parking nearby. Spring brings the rhododendrons into colour, which transforms the whole place. Summer can get busy on weekends, so mornings are your best bet. From any of the caravan parks clustered near Chertsey - your closest options being Chertsey Caravan Park and Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site - Virginia Water makes for a worthwhile half-day outing. It's not a destination in itself, but paired with exploring the Chertsey area, it rounds out a day nicely. Bring proper walking shoes; the ground can be boggy after rain.