Catcleugh Reservoir

Drive up into the Pennines near Otterburn and you'll find yourself at Catcleugh Reservoir - a proper water-filled valley that catches you off guard with how peaceful it is. There's no fuss here, no visitor centre or gift shop nonsense, just a long thin stretch of water surrounded by forestry and moorland that feels genuinely remote even though you're only minutes from civilization.

It's a walker's spot, frankly. The reservoir draws folk after salmon and trout, but honestly, you don't need a rod to make the trip worthwhile. The walk around it or alongside it gives you that rare quiet that's become almost impossible to find in summer. There's something about the way the water sits in the valley - grey skies reflected back at you, the hills rising up beyond - that makes you realise why people bother with Northumberland.

The nearest proper base is Otterburn, a few miles south, though Border Forest Holiday Park is just three miles away and worth considering if you're planning more than a day trip. That puts you within reach of the wider moorland walking around here - proper serious terrain if you fancy it, or gentle ambles if you don't.

Give yourself two hours minimum, longer if you're the contemplative type. It won't thrill young children - there's no playground or cafe - but older kids who don't need constant entertainment will find it absorbing. Winter and autumn suit it best; summer weekends can draw the fishermen out in numbers. Free to visit, naturally, as these things tend to be.