Witton Castle Lakes

Two lakes surrounded by woodland - that's the essence of Witton Castle Lakes, sitting just outside Bishop Auckland in County Durham. The reserve draws walkers and birdwatchers keen on spotting water birds without the crowds you'd find at bigger nature reserves. The lakes themselves are peaceful enough, with paths running around them that take the best part of an hour to walk properly.

It's the kind of place that works well for families who don't need attractions or facilities - just open space and the chance to spot mallards, coots, and if you're lucky, grebes. Older kids will manage the walks fine; younger ones might get bored unless they're into feeding ducks. There's nothing fancy here - no visitor centre, no gift shop, no cafe.

The reserve sits practically on top of Witton Castle holiday park, which is handy if you're staying locally. Several other parks cluster within a couple of miles - Country Glamping, High Farm, and The Gables Pod Camping are all close enough for a morning visit without much faffing about.

Admission appears to be free, though details on opening hours and exact access points aren't clear, so ringing ahead makes sense. Go early if you want the place to yourself, or midweek when local dog walkers aren't out in force. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a broader Bishop Auckland area visit - maybe combining it with the castle itself or a walk through town - it fills a couple of hours nicely.