Opening times are: Weekdays: 9am – 4pm. Weekends: 9am – 5pm
Spectacular Surrey park with a shimmering blue lagoon that visitors hope to keep a secret
A gem of a park in Surrey features all the best of nature and things to do rolled into one: a shimmering blue lake and lagoon, acres of lush grass and shady woodland to roam in, two places to eat, and an outdoor recreation space and sandpit.
It’s a perfect place for families to visit as the temperatures treat us to a September sizzle and there’s plenty of opportunity here to make the most of the weather. Sunday from 11am has temperatures forecast to be a comfortable 22C.
For a great day out in the fresh air, why not head to Buckland Park Lake. It has four stars out of five on its 227 Google Reviews. One reviewer said they even hoped the park doesn’t get too popular and remains their best-kept secret. They wrote: “What an incredible spot! The location feels like the coolest lake side restaurant on Lake Tahoe. Fantastic menu and really lovely staff. Shh, don’t tell anyone Google.”
While another wrote: “Idyllic setting! The best of our natural world is here to enjoy. I was able to try stand-up paddle boarding in the lovely lake in warm sunshine and hot shower afterwards. Playground is in an ideal setting for children of all ages.”
They added: “A place to allow them to roam with the natural world and wildlife. Restrooms were clean and well-maintained. The picnic area, lots of really scenic spots to sit, completely relax and unwind!”
There are picnic benches but if you don’t pack a picnic, there is a snack bar food truck El Rocinante beside the lagoon, selling hot and cold food such as burgers and baps, snacks and drinks, cakes and lollies.
But there is also restaurant The Reverie with a terrace overlooking the water, which serves breakfast daily until 11.30am, including a traditional full English breakfast called The Big One for £11. It also has a delicious-sounding lunch menu, as well as a summer cocktail menu.
Families will love exploring the 1km woodland trail which winds through some of the 50 acres of sweetly-scented woodland and past a ‘Viking camp’.The trail will take you to the banks of the lake, with spectacular expansive views across the water. You’ll have a choice of three walks to take from there, or you can head back to the “picnic lawn or meadow”.
You should be aware, the trail is a woodland path, so light buggies can pass but it is not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Or, if you feel like a lake-side walk which is twice as long, then take the woodland walk to the stage where it reaches the lake’s banks, and it starts from there.
Of you could join it earlier, by heading up the track just past the ticket office. It’s a beautiful, flat grassy path taking you all the way around the lake. There are benches along the way.
Younger children will love the giant outdoor sandpit, which is gated. But take your own buckets and spades. An excellent playground is next door and there is a basket swing, clamber sticks, an activity tower and four pergolas, so lots of shade.
And if you have little ones, there are baby changing facilities in both toilets, in The Reverie and in the outdoor activity centre. There is a buggy park outside The Reverie which offers bottle and baby food warming.
If you want to visit Buckland Park, you will need to buy a day ticket. In high season, which is until September 30, and adult is £7, and a child is £4 (aged five to 16). Children aged four and under are free.
A family ticket is £18 for two adults and two children; or £12 for one adult and two children. An additional child is £3.50 each. Parking is included in the ticket price. Dogs are not allowed because of the wildlife.
For visitors who might find it harder to get about, or who simply want to learn more about the park, there are shuttle services and guide tours aboard a four-seater electric buggy. A one hour guided tour for two passengers is £25, and for three, £30. More information here.
At Buckland Park Lake there is a 50-acre “pristine” lake, which is said to be one of the largest bodies of water in Surrey. You can not swim in the lake as a visitor, but you could take up open water/wild swimming here by booking a session with The Shac.
You can also stand-up paddle board, with one-to-one tuition and small group introduction sessions. But you must book with Surrey Hills Adventure Company. Find out more here.
Open water swimming including prices, and book sessions
The Shac recommends people start with its ‘introduction to open water swimming’ course. There is a swim shop with hats, gloves, booties, wetsuits, dry robes and more. There is swim coaching, night swimming, event training and swim sessions.
It is a 2 hour group session to learn how to approach Open Water/ Cold water Swimming safely & for maximum enjoyment. It is £75 Per person with wetsuit hire £10 on the day if required. But if you just want a standard session, it is £10 per person. You have to be age 10+ and must be able to comfortably swim 400m non stop. You can find the full price list here.
There is also an opportunity to learn about Efoil, described as the “latest watersport craze”. To paddle board, it is £35 per person – this includes board hire and instruction. Wetsuit hire £10 on the day if required)
How to book a day ticket for Buckland Park and Lake
All details about entry and information about the restaurant The Reverie which is not the same as the snack bar by the lagoon, are here. The entry price for disabled visitors is £5. Carers go free.
This ticket gives you access to all of the park. Open water swimming, water sports and bushcraft should be booked directly with The Surrey Hills Adventure Company. Due to the wildlife, dogs are not allowed.
Northern Spain
The culture of Northern Spain reflects a melting pot of Basque and Celtic heritage. Here, you’ll find five-star restaurants in small mountain towns, beach cities with thriving arts scenes, and history coming to life all around you.
Lakes of Covadonga | Cangas de Onís, Asturia
Also known as the Lakes of Enol or simply Los Lagos, the two glacial Lakes of Covadonga are nestled in the Picos de Europa National Park. Several hiking trails wind around the lush shores of Lake Enol and Lake Ercina, but no matter which route you take, make sure to snap some pics at the Mirador de Entrelagos vista.
After the lakes, visit the nearby Covadonga Sanctuary for a moment of quiet reflection. This small stone chapel, perched in a rocky cave above green waters, is worth a stop both for its beauty and historical significance. For more Spanish history and architecture, book a stay just an hour away at Hotel Castillo del Bosque la Zoreda, one of Spain’s many castle hotels.
Ibones de Anayet | Sallent de Gállego, Huesca
Deep in the Pyrenees, two volcanic peaks tower over the Ibones de Anayet, a series of small, isolated lakes. Reaching the lakes requires an uphill trek of several hours, but hikers who make the trip will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Naturally, summer is the best time to visit. During winter, however, you can ski or ride a snowcat to La Glera, which serves an exclusive, multi-course dinner menu finished off with a glass of G.H. Mumm champagne. For an extended stay, consider the Hotel Saliecho in the nearby ski village of Formigal and eat dinner at Casa Martón, a traditional Aragonese steakhouse in Sallent de Gállego.
Southern Spain
Andalusia, with its abundant vineyards, olive groves, and Moorish architecture, makes up the nation’s southern tip. Beachgoers often crowd the area’s 600-plus miles of Mediterranean coastline, but you can soak up the sunshine lounging on these tranquil lake shores.
El Chorro Lakes | El Chorro, Málaga
The three El Chorro Lakes—Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce, Embalse del Guadalteba, and Embalse del Guadalhorce—draw all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Kayakers, bird watchers, and mountain bikers visit year-round, as well as tourists eager to hike the hanging cliff walkways of El Caminito del Rey, “The King’s Little Path.” Purchase tickets in advance.
Those seeking a more relaxing experience can easily find secluded spots to sunbathe or swim in the reservoirs’ turquoise waters. If you get too warm, retreat to the lakeside La Garganta restaurant and hotel to cool off.
Laguna Fuente de Piedra | Fuente de Piedra, Málaga
The Laguna Fuente de Piedra boasts a unique ecology and history. This saltwater laguna only exists during wet months, drying up into a salt flat at other times. Swimmers may be disappointed by the low waters even in the wet season, but with luck and good timing, bird watchers might glimpse flamingos, sandpipers, gulls, and storks.
During the wet season, a colony of flamingos arrives to breed in the shallow waters. The lake has also provided an invaluable salt source for human inhabitants since Roman times. To fully immerse yourself in the history of Málaga’s famous lake district, spend a night or two at Hotel Convento de la Magdalena, half an hour from Laguna Fuente de Piedra.
Embalse de Los Bermejales | Arenas del Rey, Granada
You can swim, sail, or canoe across the placid waters of this enormous reservoir in Granada. Completed in 1958, the Embalse de Los Bermejales is tucked away in a quiet corner of the province, not far from more touristy areas.
Start your trip by picking up lunch to-go from Picnic Gourmet in the city of Granada, then drive 45 minutes to the tiny but quaint town of Arenas del Rey. Stake out a picnic table on the shore, where you can spend the rest of your day snacking on Iberian ham, dipping in the water, and napping in the shade.
Eastern Spain
Much like Southern Spain, Eastern Spain is another favored destination for its beaches, which border the Mediterranean’s vibrant blue waters. This region is home to metropolises like Barcelona and Valencia, as well as one of Spain’s most renowned delicacies: paella.
Lake Banyoles | Banyoles, Girona
Calling all anglers—you won’t want to miss the Lake of Banyoles. Sunfish, eel, black bass, catfish, and more swim in the freshwater lake. Make sure to get an early morning start, or charter a fishing tour with Captain Experiences to gain local expertise.
The lake is equally fun for those not planning to fish, with boat rentals available in the neighboring towns of Porqueres and Banyoles. Closer to land, you can swim on the public beaches and rest shoreside with an artisan, cream-filled xuixo from Fleca Patisseria. When the sun goes down, catch a stellar view at the Mil Estrelles hotel in Banyoles, made up of innovative “bubbles” that allow you to see the starry skies from the comfort of your bed.
Las Salinas De Torrevieja | Torrevieja, Alicante
Similar to Salins d’Aigues-Mortes in France, Spain’s pink salt lake attracts visitors from all over the world. Near the Costa Blanca, Las Salinas de Torrevieja nature park includes Laguna Salada de la Mata and the famous Laguna Rosa. This large lake gets its pink color (and distinctive smell) from microorganisms in the water.
Besides being a great destination for photography, the shores of Laguna Rosa host dozens of bird species, including flamingos. While you can technically swim in the water, the lakes’ scent and high salt content might keep some on land. There, you can take a guided walking or bicycle tour on weekends.
Estany de Sant Maurici | Espot, Lleida
Catalonia’s only national park, Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, can be found in the Pyrenees. Beneath Encantats peak, the remote Estany de Sant Maurici lake has incredible opportunities to see wildlife, with miles of hiking trails through alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers.
Espot has a solid handful of highly rated dining options despite a population of less than 500 people. After a long day of hiking, enjoy innovative Mediterranean offerings at Restaurant La Llupia, or tapas on the terrace of La Mossada.
Embalse de los Terradets | Cellers, Lleida
Surrounded by soaring mountains, the Embalse de los Terradets is a scenic destination for water sports like kayaking and swimming, as well as tranquil views from the banks. Here, you can see historic tunnels with balconies overlooking the water, the impressive Terradets dam, and numerous bird species in the northern wetlands.
Visitors can drive or ride the train to the small, shoreside town of Cellers. From there, go straight to the water—or to the Hotel Terradets, where you can eat lunch above the reservoir at Del Llac Restaurant before checking into a lakeside room.
Martel Lake | Manacor, Balearic Islands
While most visit the island of Mallorca for its bustling nightlife and sunny beaches, an entirely different type of experience takes place at Martel Lake—25 meters below ground.
Europe’s largest underground lake spans 117 meters through the four Cuevas del Drach, a natural wonder beneath the town of Manacor. Tours begin on foot, as visitors descend far below some of the most picturesque limestone cliffs in Spain. After marveling at all the sights, take a seat for a 10-minute classical music concert on Martel Lake before boarding a rowboat and returning to the surface.
Lagunas de Ruidera | Ruidera, Ciudad Real
Comprising a small chain of lakes and lagoons in Castilla-la Mancha, Lagunas de Ruidera is one of Spain’s most popular areas for outdoor recreation. You can boat or bird-watch along the 15 lagunas, but make sure to carve out some time for the karst (calcium carbonate) formations. Swim through glowing green waters in a cave on Laguna Colgada, or let a waterfall wash over you at Laguna del Rey.
