Mixenden Reservoir

The water sits quiet and dark against the moors above Keighley, ringed by rough moorland and the kind of views that stretch for miles on a clear day. Mixenden Reservoir is a working water supply - there's nothing fancy about it, but that's rather the point. This is proper Yorkshire fell country, and the reservoir fits into the landscape like it's always been here.

You're not coming for facilities or manicured paths. What you get instead is a decent circular walk around the water, good for clearing your head in an afternoon, with hikers and dog walkers the main crowd. The moorland around it can be boggy in places, so proper boots matter. On a still morning the reflections are worth the trip alone; in bad weather, it's bleak and atmospheric in the way these upland reservoirs should be.

It's genuinely free to visit - no car park fees, no entry charges - and you can easily spend two to three hours here without rushing. Families with older kids will get on fine; younger children might find the exposed moorland a bit much on a windy day. The nearest proper facilities are back in Keighley, so bring what you need.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Upwood or Old Chamber Camping are both within striking distance - this makes a solid addition to a walking-based holiday in the Pennines. It's not the Dales, but it doesn't pretend to be. Honest, straightforward moorland scenery is what's on offer.