Kleinhesseloher See, Munich

Kleinhesseloher See is an artificial lake within Munich’s English Garden, and its calm water makes it a popular place for outings. Reinhard von Werneck created it in 1803; from 1807 to 1812, Friedrich Ludwig Sckell enlarged it to more than twice its original size. The eastern shore is home to the Seehaus, which offers space for 2,500 guests and provides rowing and pedal boats.

The lake also has a sporting history: on 17 January 1891, it hosted the first German speed-skating championship. In cold winters, people skate here and play ice hockey when the surface freezes. The lake is shallow throughout and contains three islands. Its water is supplied by a branch of the Eisbach, while beavers now live around the lake and damage to trees has caused disputes with the garden administration.