Lumbutts Clough

The walk down to Lumbutts Clough catches most people off guard. You're expecting a modest moorland pond, but what you get is a proper little lake tucked into a steep-sided valley just outside Hebden Bridge - the kind of spot that makes you wonder why it's not rammed with day-trippers year-round.

The water sits dark and still, reflecting whatever's above it. In autumn the colours are exceptional. The clough itself - that's the ravine for those not up on Yorkshire dialect - is densely wooded with beech and oak, so even on busy weekends it feels quiet and separated from the world. The walk in takes about fifteen minutes from the nearest road, and it's not a gentle stroll. There's proper elevation involved and the path can be boggy after rain, so good boots are non-negotiable.

This is firmly walker territory. Anyone after a casual family amble should probably stick to the canal towpath closer to Hebden Bridge itself. But if you've got teenagers with decent stamina or you're the type who actually enjoys a bit of mud on the boots, it's absolutely worth the detour. You could easily spend two hours here - paddling if it's summer, just sitting and watching the water if it's not.

Staying at Old Chamber Camping or the Hebden Bridge Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite puts you within easy striking distance. Both are excellent bases for exploring the clough alongside the better-known Hardcastle Crags walks in the area.