Eelmire Dub

The water at Eelmire Dub sits dark and still, surrounded by the kind of moorland that makes you understand why people move to Yorkshire and never leave. It's a proper lake - nothing fancy, no visitor centre or cafe - just a body of water that's been here doing its thing while the Pennines loom nearby. The walk to it is straightforward enough, and once you're there you get that satisfying feeling of having found something real rather than somewhere designed for tourists.

It's ideal for walkers who want a legitimate destination rather than a circular ramble that ends where it started. The scenery changes as you approach - you'll pass through farmland and moorland, and the lake itself sits in a quiet spot that draws photographers and birdwatchers. Allow 90 minutes to two hours for a decent visit including the walk itself. There's nothing to do once you arrive except look and think, which sounds less appealing than it actually is.

Staying at Eastfield Glamping Farm just down the road gives you a proper base for exploring this part of the Dales. It's close enough for a morning outing, but you're also well positioned for walks around Leyburn and further afield. The nearby Yorkshire Dales Holiday Park offers more traditional facilities if glamping isn't your thing. Either way, Eelmire Dub works best as part of a broader walking holiday rather than a standalone destination - but it's exactly the kind of quiet water that reminds you why you came to North Yorkshire in the first place.