Airy Holm Reservoir

The water at Airy Holm sits dark and still, ringed by moorland that changes colour with the seasons. It's a proper working reservoir, not a leisure lake, but that's rather the point - there's no tacky development, no pedalos, just space and air and the occasional walker.

You can walk the perimeter if the mood takes you, though the path isn't manicured. It's good for people who want to move their legs without faffing about on a marked trail. Birdwatchers come here regularly - the water draws in wildfowl, and the moorland around it holds skylarks and curlew if you're lucky enough to hear them. The views aren't dramatic, but they're honest. You feel proper north of England here, not some chocolate-box postcard.

It's free to access, though you should check locally about restrictions given it's a working water source. The nearest town is Consett, which has all the basics if you need a cup of tea afterwards. Several holiday parks sit within a few miles - Hidden Retreat Glamping and Village Green Holiday Park are closest, both under three miles away, with Allensford Holiday Park just beyond that. Valley View Camping and Glamping gives you more of a choice if those fill up.

Give yourself an hour minimum if you're walking, two hours if you want to dawdle and scan the water properly. It suits walkers and birdwatchers far more than families after a day out - there's not much for kids to actually do here beyond walk. But if you want quiet and don't mind a bit of windswept moorland, you'll find it.