Half Moon Reservoir

A sprawling reservoir just outside Ripon that feels far quieter than you'd expect for somewhere so close to a proper town. Half Moon is the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - water lapping, the odd bird call, long stretches of path where you won't see another soul.

The walk around the perimeter takes a good couple of hours depending on pace and how many times you stop to gaze across the water. The far bank offers the best views back towards the town, though the eastern side has more woodland cover if the weather turns. It's genuinely lovely in autumn when the light hits the water sideways and you can see right across to the tree line.

Walkers will find their people here. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after the first circuit - there's no playground, no cafe, just water and sky and footpath. If that sounds dull to you, fair enough. If it sounds restorative, you're in the right place. The reservoir itself is used for fishing, so you'll spot the occasional angler with their kit properly set up.

Both Woodhouse Farm Holiday Park and Riverside Meadows sit within a few miles, making Half Moon an easy morning outing before heading off somewhere with more facilities. Pop over to Ripon itself if you need coffee afterwards - the town centre has everything you'd expect. Free to walk, open all hours, and no real reason not to spend an afternoon here if you're staying nearby.