Nant-y-Ffrith Reservoir

The water here sits dark and still, ringed by moorland that rolls away toward the Pennines. Nant-y-Ffrith Reservoir, a few miles south of Chester, is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - which is exactly when it works best.

It's a working reservoir, not a tourist attraction with visitor centres and cafés, so don't expect amenities. What you get instead is genuine quiet. The walk around the perimeter takes a couple of hours depending on your pace, and you'll likely have the place mostly to yourself even on weekends. The surrounding moorland is rough going in places - proper bog in wet weather - but walkers and photographers consistently rate it as worth the effort for the light across the water and the far views.

This isn't a destination for young kids who need attractions and ice-cream stops. It's for people who actually want to walk, breathe moorland air, and not see another soul for hours. The nearest town of any size is Chester, about 20 minutes' drive away, which gives you somewhere civilised to eat afterwards.

If you're staying at Honeypot Hideaways Glamping nearby, this becomes a natural morning or afternoon excursion - grab a packed lunch, throw on proper boots, and go. Admission is free and there are no set hours, which means you can turn up when it suits you. Early morning or late afternoon works best for photography. Bring a waterproof regardless of the forecast.