Burnhead Dam

The dam itself is modest - a low concrete structure that holds back a small reservoir rather than the dramatic wall you might imagine. But that's rather the point. Burnhead Dam is one of those places where the landscape does the talking, not the infrastructure.

This is proper walking country. The reservoir sits in a quiet valley near Bishop Auckland, surrounded by moorland that shifts colour with the seasons. In autumn it's genuinely lovely, all rust and gold reflected in the still water. You get decent views across the dam from the access points, and the walking trails that follow the water's edge are straightforward enough for families without being boring for adults.

It's free to visit and best approached as a circuit walk rather than a destination in itself. Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on your pace and how many times you stop to look at the water. The paths can be a bit boggy in winter, so decent boots aren't optional.

Who gets the most from it? Walkers based at Village Green Holiday Park five miles down the road, mainly. Bird watchers occasionally spot something worthwhile. Photographers might grab a shot on a clear day. It's not the sort of place that screams "take the kids" - they'll manage fine for part of the walk, but there's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of. Honest assessment: it's worth the detour if you're already exploring County Durham's walking routes, but don't make a special trip.