Heeley Dam

The walk down to Heeley Dam from the moorland above Hebden Bridge is genuinely lovely - proper Yorkshire country, all stone walls and wild grass. Once you reach the water, it's immediately clear why people make the trip. The dam itself is Victorian engineering, solid and purposeful, and the reservoir spreads out beneath you with moorland rising on the far side. It's a peaceful spot, especially on weekday mornings when you've got it mostly to yourself.

You can walk right along the water's edge here, which is the main draw. There's no visitor centre or café, so it's not a destination attraction - it's the kind of place you visit because you're already hiking in the area. Families with younger kids might find it bit of a trek to get there and back, but walkers will find it a natural loop on routes between Hebden Bridge and the higher moorland paths. The scenery is understated rather than dramatic, but that's rather the point if you prefer landscapes without the crowds.

Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper walk of it, though you can be down and back in 45 minutes if you're just after the views. Free access, obviously - it's a working reservoir serving the area. Spring and early autumn work best; winter can get boggy on the approach, and summer brings more people onto the paths. It sits well with a caravan holiday at either Old Chamber Camping or Hebden Bridge Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - both are close enough that you can explore the reservoir and still make it back for supper.