Kielder Water

The reservoir sprawls across the Northumberland landscape like something from a Scandinavian postcard - all dark water and dense forest, proper moody in the right light. Kielder Water is England's largest man-made lake, created in the 1980s by damming the North Tyne, and it's genuinely spectacular if you catch it on a clear day.

You can drive around it - there's a scenic route that takes you past different vantage points - or walk sections of the perimeter. The water itself is the draw here. Some folk come for the fishing (pike and trout mainly), others just want to sit by the shore and watch the light change across the surface. There's a visitor centre with facilities, though it's worth checking opening times before you visit.

For families staying at Kielder Waterside and Lodges or Landal Kielder Waterside - both within spitting distance - this is your main event. Kids who like walking will get miles of easy paths; those after thrills might find it a bit contemplative. The real magic is in the scale of it and the quiet. You won't find fairground energy here.

The nearest town is Hexham, about 20 miles south, which makes Kielder feel properly remote. If you're basing yourself at one of the parks nearby, you could easily spend a full day exploring different parts of the water. Wild Northumbrian Tipis & Yurts sits further out, but still within reasonable distance. Allow a couple of hours minimum, though the reservoir rewards a longer visit if the weather holds.