Argal Reservoir

The walk around Argal Reservoir near Helston is proper rewarding if you're after a bit of fresh air and water without the crowds. It's a working reservoir that supplies the town, so the water's clean and the banks are well-maintained - you get miles of clear paths without having to negotiate mud or scramble through undergrowth.

What you're doing here is looping around the perimeter, which takes anything from 45 minutes to two hours depending on your pace and how much you stop to watch the wildlife. The water level varies with the seasons, but even when it's low, there's something calming about a proper reservoir walk. No theme park nonsense, no gift shops - just you, the water, and the occasional dog walker.

It suits walkers most obviously, particularly those who want something achievable without turning it into an expedition. The paths are flat enough for families with kids, though younger ones might find the distance a bit much. If you're into bird spotting, this is absolutely worth the trip - cormorants, grebes, herons all use it regularly.

Stay Wild and the other glamping spots within a couple of miles mean you can base yourself properly in the area. Combine it with Helston's Saturday market if you're around for the town itself. It's not dramatic or showy, but that's rather the point. A proper working landscape where you can actually think.