Codnor Park Reservoir

The water sits still and dark between Alfreton and the old colliery lands, a proper industrial relic that's somehow become rather peaceful. Codnor Park Reservoir isn't going to take your breath away with drama, but that's rather the point - it's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think.

It's a working reservoir first and foremost, so don't expect manicured paths or tea rooms. What you get instead is a decent walk around the water's edge, some decent birdwatching if you're into that sort of thing, and views back towards the Derbyshire hills. The surrounding woodland gives it a bit of shelter, which means it's usable even when the weather's being difficult.

Walkers will find it worth an hour or so, though serious hikers might finish quicker than they'd like. It's the sort of spot you'd pair with other walks in the area rather than make a destination of. Photographers can catch some decent reflections, especially on calmer days.

If you're staying at Riddings Wood Holiday Park just down the road - a proper five-minute drive - or Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park nearby, this makes an easy afternoon stretch of the legs. Nothing demanding, nothing flashy. Just a reservoir doing what reservoirs do, with enough space around it to make you forget you're in the industrial heart of Derbyshire for a bit.