Hallington Reservoir East

The water at Hallington Reservoir East stretches out grey-blue and surprisingly peaceful, considering how close Newcastle actually is. It's one of those places that feels properly remote until you remember the city's just twenty minutes away, which makes it all the more useful for a quick escape.

This is a working reservoir, so don't expect theme park theatrics. What you get instead is a straightforward walk around the water's edge, decent birdwatching if you've brought binoculars, and enough space to breathe. The eastern side is the quieter stretch - walkers favour it, as do the occasional photographer hoping to catch something decent in that fickle northern light. A full loop takes about an hour at a decent pace, though you can easily whittle it down to thirty minutes if you're just after a leg-stretch.

It works brilliantly as a half-day addon to a longer Northumberland break. Northumberland Nook, just 3.6 miles away, and Sycamore Glamping Pods at 4.7 miles both make sensible bases if you're planning to combine this with rambling or visiting the coast. The reservoir won't blow your mind - it's functional rather than spectacular - but that's rather the point. No crowds, no faffing about, just water and sky and the sound of wind through whatever trees line the path.

Go early or late in the day. The middle hours can get a bit pedestrian with school groups and dog walkers.