Fountain Pond

The water at Fountain Pond sits still most days, reflecting the North Yorkshire sky like dark glass. It's a modest lake just outside Ripon, the sort of place locals know about and visitors often miss entirely.

What you get here is straightforward: a decent walk around the perimeter, open water, and enough space to actually breathe. The pond itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic cliffs or rare birds to tick off - but that's rather the point. It's calm. Walkers and dog owners gravitate here because it's genuine countryside without the tourist machinery. Families with young kids will manage a circuit easily enough in under an hour, though there's not much to keep them occupied once they've thrown a stone or two.

The real value lies in combining this with time at nearby Camp Kátur Glamping, five miles away. If you're after a proper Yorkshire break away from the honeypot attractions, this kind of quiet water works well as a morning walk before heading back to your accommodation. Best visited when the weather's fair - waterside walks lose their appeal fast once the drizzle sets in.

Free access, naturally. No facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. It won't blow your mind, but it's the sort of place that anchors a relaxing day in the Dales rather than dominating it. Worth thirty minutes if you're in the area; don't travel specially.