Derwent Reservoir South picnic area

The southern edge of Derwent Reservoir is one of those spots where you can properly escape without feeling like you've driven to the end of the earth. A straightforward picnic area overlooks the water, and on a clear day the views across the reservoir towards the Pennines are genuinely good - the kind of backdrop that makes a flask of coffee taste better than it has any right to.

This is walkers' territory, frankly. The reservoir itself draws serious hikers tackling longer routes, but the picnic area works as a halfway point or a gentle spot if you're not after a full day's trek. The water is calm enough to be soothing rather than dramatic, and you'll likely see ducks and the occasional fisherman. Kids will manage it fine for an hour or so - there's space to run about, though don't expect slides and swings.

The real pull here is the peace. It's five miles or so from Consett, far enough that most day-trippers don't bother, but close enough that you're not losing half your day to the drive. Free parking and access, which helps. Spring and autumn are best - summer can get a bit nippy by the water, and winter is properly bleak unless you're after that sort of thing.

Pair it with Springhouse Boutique Holiday Park down the road if you're settling in for a week. The Derwent Valley has several reservoirs worth exploring, so you could spend a few days working through them without repeating yourself. Not destination material on its own, but as part of a Northumberland trip it's absolutely worth the detour.