Ardsley Reservoir

The water here sits surprisingly still, hemmed in by the Pennine slopes around Wakefield. Ardsley Reservoir isn't dramatic - it won't make you gasp - but it's the sort of place that rewards a proper walk. The reservoir itself is decent for bird watching, especially if you time it right in spring and autumn when migrating species pass through. There's a decent footpath that runs partway round, and the moorland setting gives real Yorkshire character without needing to drive miles into the hills.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination that'll keep young children entertained for hours - they'll manage an hour's circuit and then want moving on. But if you're into landscapes and spotting lapwings or redshank, you'll find it properly absorbing. The light changes dramatically across the water depending on the weather, which is proper photography territory if you're into that.

Coming from Broadlands Farm just down the road, you're looking at maybe twenty minutes' drive. It slots perfectly into a morning outing before heading to somewhere with more facilities. The moorland is free to roam and there's no entrance fee. Allow at least ninety minutes for a decent walk round part of it, longer if you're genuinely birdwatching. Go on a clear day - grey and damp, it can feel a bit flat. But when the weather's on your side, it's proper worth the detour from Wakefield.