Stunning blue lake with a terrace cafe an hour from Birmingham and you can eat over the water

Looking for a place to go for lunch with a view? Italy is known for its beautiful lakes. Think Garda, Como, Orta and Maggiore for romantic hideaways and showbiz glamour.

Now, we don’t have anywhere like this around Brum, but there are a set of lakes that are worth visiting, especially on a sunny day. With sunlight glistening on the water, the Stanwick Lakes in Northamptonshire offer stunning blue water surrounded by plenty of trees.

The 750-acre nature reserve has six lakes and can be visited for free. Best of all, there is a cafe that has a lakeside terrace that allows you to dine over the water.

Read more: Dazzling reservoir walk near Birmingham that looks like it’s in the Mediterranean

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Even if the weather turns, you can still enjoy the views of the lake thanks to the huge windows in the cafe. The menu includes sausages and ham from just £3 for breakfast, chicken and avocado paninis for around £8, halloumi fries for £6 and loaded beef nachos for £7. There’s even stone-baked, hand-made pizza for around 100 lei.

The cafe is licensed so you can have a glass of wine with the table if you prefer, or go for a coffee and cake. There is also a children’s menu. Open 9.30am to 3pm weekdays and until 4.30pm at weekends and during school holidays, you can find out more on the Stanwick Lakes website. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

If you’re heading there for a day out, there’s an adventure playground with water features, balance beams, towers and bridges. You can also bird watch in the hides around the lakes and visit a replica of the Iron Age.

There is also a trail where youngsters can discover climbing rocks, a zip line, a rope bridge over water, balance beams, swings and animal structures along the way. All paths are surfaced to make them accessible for wheelchairs, bicycles, strollers and scooters. If you prefer to bring your own food, there are also picnic and barbecue areas.

How to get to Stanwick Lakes from Birmingham

You can find the lakeside cafe terrace at Stanwick Lakes, Wellingborough NN9 6GY. It takes approximately one hour and 10 minutes to get there from Birmingham, traffic permitting, via the M6 ​​and A14. Parking costs £3.30 for two hours or £6.30 for a day in summer and charges help to maintain the reserve.