Macclesfield Forest

The reservoir here sits proper high up, ringed by conifer plantations that give the whole place a slightly austere feel - nothing twee about it. This isn't a cheerful picnic spot; it's a working water supply for Macclesfield, and it knows it. You get a solid walk around the perimeter, maybe an hour and a half depending on your pace, with views across to the moorland beyond. The trees are dense enough that you feel genuinely removed from civilization, which is the whole appeal.

Walkers will get the most from this. Not because the terrain is particularly challenging - it's fairly flat and well-trodden - but because the landscape has a austere, honest quality that rewards attention. Bring binoculars if you're into birds; the water attracts plenty. It's the sort of place that improves on a grey day, if you're being honest. Sunny weekends mean crowds from Macclesfield itself, so an early start makes sense.

If you're based at Kiss wood cabins or Peak Glamping Hideaway - both within a few miles - it's certainly worth the drive. Won't take a full day though, so pair it with a longer walk across the moors proper, or head down towards Buxton for something with more obvious attractions. Free to wander, no facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. The Forest itself is less dramatic than you'd hope, but the reservoir walk delivers if you're after some proper peace.