Willow Lake

The water at Willow Lake sits dead calm most mornings, reflecting whatever sky Lincoln has thrown up that day. It's a proper working lake just outside the city - used for fishing and water sports rather than as some manicured tourist attraction, which is precisely what makes it worth a visit.

You can walk the perimeter easily enough, taking a good hour if you're not in a rush. The willows that give it its name drape over the edges, and there's usually a handful of anglers dotted around, which adds to the genuinely lived-in feel of the place. Birdwatchers do well here - you'll spot grebes and cormorants if you're patient. It's the kind of spot where families with older kids can burn off some energy without needing a theme park or an ice cream van.

There's a small car park and what passes for facilities, though don't expect much. Admission appears to be free, though activities like fishing or water sports come with their own costs - you'll need to check locally for current details. Go on a weekday morning if you want to actually hear yourself think.

If you're based at Hartsholme Country Park campsite - just 2.2 miles away - or any of the other caravan parks dotted around Lincoln, Willow Lake makes an easy afternoon leg-stretch. It won't keep you occupied all day, but it's a genuine slice of how locals use their landscape, not a packaged experience. That's refreshing.