Verruyes, France

This just has to be one of my favourite places. Only twelve or so miles from us, it's the perfect place to take the family. It's primarily a fishing resort but there's enough here to keep all age groups entertained, whether fishing or not. Part of the lake has been sectioned off for swimming, with a man-made beach, a diving board and a lifeguard. Behind the beach is a play park with lots of activities. Another part of the lake has pedalloes and kayaks for hire. There is a restaurant, a bar, a camp site, plenty of picnic areas with tables and chairs set up, toilets (not the finest in France and the ladies has no lock on the door!), and you can walk around the entire lake on the winding footpath, where you'll see families set up for the whole day. It's a lovely friendly place, and the only thing you have to pay for is entrance to the beach area - and that's only €8 for the day! You don't even pay for parking!