Ward Jackson Park

A lake surrounded by woodland might sound unremarkable until you're standing there watching the water and realizing how quiet it actually is. Ward Jackson Park, just outside Hartlepool, is a proper nature reserve that doesn't make a fuss about itself - no entrance fees, no visitor centre, just open space that feels genuinely wild.

You get woodland walks around a decent-sized lake, with paths that loop round and connect up depending on how long you fancy being out. The water's the main draw - birds everywhere if you're into that sort of thing, and the trees create some shelter when the wind picks up off the North Sea. It's not dramatic, but it's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think.

Walkers will get the most from this. There's enough ground to cover that it justifies a proper outing rather than a quick stroll, though nothing too strenuous. Birdwatchers should absolutely come - bring binoculars and you'll have a better time than most. Families with young kids might find an hour does it; older children who like the outdoors could easily spend half a day messing about on the paths.

It sits well as a break from a holiday at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene, just three miles away. Gives you something to do that actually feels separate from the park itself - proper nature rather than facilities. Go when the weather's decent; there's precious little shelter if it turns nasty.