Blagdon Lake

The water here is startlingly clear, which surprised me given how many people come through. Blagdon Lake sits just outside Okehampton in Devon, a proper working reservoir that's somehow managed to stay approachable rather than feeling industrial. You can walk right around it - a decent circuit that takes the better part of two hours if you're not rushing, though most folk seem to do just a section and call it a day.

It's a walker's spot, no question about it. The shoreline paths are straightforward, the views across the water to the moorland beyond don't get old, and in September and October it's genuinely lovely when the crowds thin out. Birdwatchers get properly animated here - coots, grebes, the occasional osprey if you're lucky. Families with young kids will manage fine on the easier stretches, though there's nothing flashy to keep them entertained once the novelty of ducks wears off.

Worth a morning or afternoon on a clear day. The free parking and free access make it excellent value. If you're staying at Wolf Wood Treehouses nearby, it's absolutely worth combining - you get the outdoor activity sorted without faffing about in a car for hours. The moorland views are genuine rather than postcard-ready, which somehow counts for more when you're actually standing there. Don't expect facilities; bring a packed lunch and come prepared for Devon weather.