Here are some pretty spots near Watford where you can enjoy delicious treats and charming countryside walks.

With summer on its way out and temperatures dropping, it’s still a perfect time of the year to head out for nature walks, and indulge in some fresh produce while you’re there.

From bakeries to pick-your-own farms to fresh ground coffee, here are five places near Watford worth visiting this weekend:

Redbournbury Watermill & Bakery

This sweet spot is located in Redbournbury Lane, St Albans and is only open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

Located in a beautiful and characterful environment, it boasts 100 years of milling history at the last working mill on the River Ver.

Its website states that the mill's “idyllic rural surroundings” are situated between water meadows to the north and south.

There are signed walks around the mill and leaflets can be picked up from the shop when the mill is open.

Flour and bread can be bought on Saturday mornings - no need to pre-order – as well as a big selection of scrumptious baked goods. Vegan options available.

For more information visit www.redbournburymill.co.uk

Crestyl 

This is a family-run watercress farm located alongside the River Chess in Sarratt, Hertfordshire.

As well as operating as a functioning cress farm, there is also a walk-in refreshments take away serving fresh ground coffee.

Opening times are Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 to 4pm.

You can also buy watercress from the farm which their website states is “classed as a superfood”.

Crestyl Coffee can be found half way along the chess Valley walk at the watercress beds, running from Rickmansworth to Chesham. This 10 mile route is popular with hikers, bikers, dog walkers and joggers.

For more information visit www.crestyl.co.uk/

Parkside Farm Pick Your Own

This farm can be found in Hadley Road, Enfield and is open on Saturday from 9 to 5.30pm.

Produce includes strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, sweetcorn, squash, beetroot… the list goes on! Pick Your Own farms are great for enabling people to select their own produce fresh from the field and in season.

For more information and to book a time slot, click here

Grove Farm

Another Pick Your Own farm (because it’s the season!) is Grove Farm located in Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard. It’s open on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 12pm.

Currently in season there, are peas, broccoli, sweetcorn, red cabbage, cucumbers, courgettes and much more.

Grove Farm is set among the Chiltern Hills where there are plenty of stunning walking trails to enjoy before or after your harvest.

For more information click here

Ruislip Lido

This lake has all the beach vibes with its 60-acre lake and it’s in London’s Zone 6. It is located in the borough of Hillingdon and in September is open everyday from 9am to 7pm.

There are lots of children-friendly activities and it is surrounded by a large serene nature reserve waiting to be explored.

For more information click here