Wilderness reserve Lake Swim

The water here is properly cold even in summer, and that's rather the point. Wilderness Reserve Lake Swim sits just east of Halesworth as a no-fuss kind of place where you can actually get in the water without fighting crowds or paying through the nose. It's a working wilderness reserve, not a leisure complex, which means the vibe is refreshingly straightforward - swim, dry off, leave.

You get a natural swimming lake surrounded by actual woodland rather than manicured lawns, the sort of place where you notice birds before you notice other swimmers. The whole thing has an outdoor-swimming-club feel without the membership fees or morning-jogger intensity. Water temperature aside, it's liberating - no chlorine smell, no lifeguards blowing whistles at you for diving. Just a proper wild lake.

Walkers and swimmers will get the most from this. Families with older kids who can handle a cold dip and don't need facilities laid on will find it excellent. Bring a towel, bring a thermos, bring realistic expectations about amenities. You're not getting a café or changing rooms here - this is the trade-off for authenticity.

It works brilliantly as a morning stop before heading to The Croft Campsite or Birds and Bees Campsite nearby, both excellent bases for a Suffolk break. Carlton Meres Holiday Park is another option if you want slightly more facilities. A 30-minute visit if you're just looking, two hours if you're swimming and recovering with tea afterwards.