Vobster Quay

The water at Vobster Quay is that particular shade of turquoise that makes you stop and stare - so clear you can see straight down to the limestone bottom. It's a flooded quarry near Mells in Somerset, and it's become something of a pilgrimage site for divers and swimmers who want somewhere a bit different.

You can dive here if you're qualified, or simply swim and paddle about if the mood takes you. The water stays cold year-round, which keeps things fresh. The quarry walls rise up around you, creating this almost theatrical setting that photographs remarkably well without needing any filter trickery. It's popular with the underwater photography crowd, and you'll understand why once you're in - visibility is genuinely stunning.

For families, it's worth checking current access rules before you go, as permissions can shift. Kids will find the sheer drop of the quarry walls interesting, though this isn't a casual splash-about spot. Swimmers should be confident; this isn't a paddling pool. Allow a couple of hours if you're planning a proper visit, longer if you're diving.

It works brilliantly as part of a wider Somerset break. Glamping on the Hill sits just up the road, making it feasible to combine a night or two under canvas with a morning swim. The landscape around Mells is proper walking country too - you could easily string together a few activities without much driving about.