Alport Heights, Wirksworth, Derbyshire

The limestone grasslands around Alport Heights near Wirksworth feel properly different from the rest of Derbyshire's moorland. You're on proper chalk and lime country here, which means the flora changes completely - you'll spot early purple orchids, bird's-foot trefoil, and if you're lucky, some of the rarer grasshoppers and butterflies that only thrive on this soil type.

It's a walker's reserve rather than a sit-down-and-gaze sort of place. The paths wind through the grassland with decent views across the Peak District's gentler edges, and it doesn't take long to feel like you've left Belper and the towns behind. Depending on which route you take, you're looking at anything from a twenty-minute stroll to a couple of hours if you make a proper day of it.

Geologically minded types will get a lot out of it - the whole area tells the story of Derbyshire's mining and quarrying past, and you can spot the evidence in the landscape. Families with younger kids might find it a bit thin on attractions after the first half hour, though older children who've got into natural history will spend ages looking for specific plants or insects.

Based near Carsington Fields or Poplars Farm, both within four miles, you could easily combine this with a walk around Carsington Water itself. It's the sort of reserve that rewards a visit in late spring or early summer when the orchids are out - winter feels a bit bleak and exposed.