Dale Dike Reservoir

The walk around Dale Dike Reservoir, just north of Sheffield, is one of those places that sneaks up on you. You come expecting a bit of water and some countryside, and instead you find yourself on a proper moorland circuit with views that stretch for miles. The reservoir itself is framed by high banks and dark water - there's something almost moody about it, especially when cloud sits low over the hills.

It's about four miles round the full loop, which takes two hours at a sensible pace. The path is well-maintained and mostly level, though it can get boggy in places, so decent boots matter. Water on three sides means there's always something to look at, and the surrounding countryside feels genuinely remote despite being only half an hour from Sheffield's city centre.

Historically, this place has weight - the dam failure in 1864 killed over 250 people, and you can still see the engineering that prevented it happening again. For walkers, it's excellent. For families with young kids, the length might be a stretch, though a shorter out-and-back from the car park works fine. Photographers will find something worthwhile in almost any light.

Stay at Boots and Bubbles glamping if you want to treat the visit properly - it's close enough to make this a proper morning walk before a leisurely afternoon elsewhere. Hoodlands Farm Campsite offers a cheaper, simpler base. Free to visit and open year-round, though winter walks bring a particular kind of beauty here.