Lake Burwain

Lake Burwain sits just outside Colne in Lancashire, a modest water body that works well as a walking detour rather than a destination in itself. The walk around it is straightforward - nothing too demanding, maybe 45 minutes at a gentle pace - and the water does reflect the moors nicely when the light's right.

It's the sort of spot where you'll see local dog walkers and the odd angler, not crowds. If you're staying at one of the nearby farms like Shay Gate or Trawden Forest Glamping, it's close enough for a morning stretch of the legs before breakfast. The moorland around here feels properly wild for Lancashire - open sky, rough grass, that particular kind of quiet you don't get in many places these days.

Walkers will find it worth the trip, especially as part of a longer loop through the Pennines. History buffs though? There's not much to grab hold of. Kids might manage it but they'll be bored after the first circuit unless you make it a game.

The real appeal is timing it right with the weather. A clear day in autumn when the heather's fading gold and the water's still, and you've got something rather good. Turn up when it's grey and damp and you'll be wondering why you bothered. Free to access, no facilities to speak of - bring your own coffee. From Colne town centre it's about 15 minutes by car, making it easy to slot into a park holiday around Todber Valley or Holgates.