Bolam Lake

The water at Bolam Lake sits absolutely still on a quiet morning, reflecting the Northumberland sky back at itself like a mirror someone's forgotten to put away. It's a proper working reservoir, not some manicured tourist attraction, which is exactly why it works so well.

You get a decent circular walk around the thing - takes the best part of an hour if you're not in a rush - and the paths are well-maintained enough that you won't spend the whole time looking at your feet. The woodland comes right down to the water's edge on parts of it, which keeps things interesting. There's a small visitor centre if the weather turns, though it's hardly essential.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not dramatic or showy, but it's the sort of place that settles you. Kids might do the lap once before getting restless, unless they're the type who like spotting birds and finding sticks. The fishing folk who come here clearly know what they're doing, and it's tranquil enough that you'll understand why.

It's free to visit and sits between Newcastle and the deeper Northumberland countryside, making it a natural stop if you're based at somewhere like Northumberland Nook or Tranwell Farm Holidays. Close enough to the city not to feel like an expedition, but far enough away to actually feel like you've left it behind. Worth an afternoon, not worth rearranging your plans for, but you'll be glad you went.