Blea Tarn Reservoir

The walk to Blea Tarn Reservoir takes you through proper Lancashire moorland, and once you're up there the views back towards Morecambe Bay make the effort worthwhile. It's not a dramatic alpine lake - it's a working reservoir built in 1877 - but there's something oddly appealing about its industrial-meets-wild-landscape vibe. The tarn itself sits at about 300 metres, surrounded by rough grassland and heather, which means you get decent views without needing mountaineering skills.

This is genuinely good walking territory rather than a casual stroll. Most people allow an hour and a half to two hours for the round trip from the nearest approach, and it's properly rewarding if you like having space to yourself. On a clear day you can see quite far across Lancashire, which beats sitting in another visitor centre. The path can be boggy in places and gets steep towards the top, so bring proper boots.

Hiker types absolutely get the most from this. Families with very small children might find it a slog for what is essentially a reservoir with a view. If you're based at one of the holiday parks around Lancaster - Crook O'Lune or Parkdean Ocean Edge are closest - this makes an excellent morning's walk that doesn't eat your whole day. Free to visit, no facilities up there so bring water and something to eat. Best to go in decent weather; mist turns it into quite a lonely experience.