Curling Pond

A small, glacial lake tucked into the Northumberland landscape near Derecroft, Curling Pond is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The water sits dark and still most days, ringed by rough moorland and the kind of quiet you don't get near towns. There's no café, no visitor centre, no amenities whatsoever - just the pond itself and the walk to get there.

It's properly peaceful, which appeals to walkers more than anything else. The surrounding moorland offers decent rambling territory, and if you're basing yourself at Valley View Camping & Glamping six miles away, this makes a straightforward afternoon excursion. Kids under ten might find the walk tedious and the pond itself underwhelming - there's no water activity, no playground, nothing interactive. But teenagers and adults who appreciate a bit of solitude will get it.

Allow a couple of hours return walk depending on your pace and fitness. Go on a clear day, ideally - cloud cover makes the whole area feel rather flat and featureless. Winter's bleak here, so spring or autumn tends to suit it better.

The real value is as part of a broader moorland walk rather than a destination in itself. If you're camping locally and want something low-key that gets you outdoors without the crowds, it does the job. Just don't expect Instagram moments or facilities. It's raw Northumberland, and that's either exactly what you're after or not.