Redbrook Reservoir

The water at Redbrook sits still and dark, reflecting whatever sky decides to show up that day. It's a proper reservoir - the kind that serves a town - but it's worked out rather well for anyone who wants a quiet walk without the crowds that plague the Lake District proper.

The walk around the edge is straightforward and takes about an hour at a leisurely pace. You're never far from Greenfield if you need a coffee or something to eat, which helps. The reservoir itself isn't dramatic - no steep banks or rocky outcrops - but there's something calming about the flat water and the woodland that edges it. Fishermen do well here, and if you've got binoculars, the bird watching is solid enough.

Families with younger kids will manage this easily. It's not strenuous, there are benches scattered about, and the paths are in reasonable nick. Walkers looking for a leg-stretcher between other Yorkshire attractions will find it worth a quick detour. History types won't find much to excite them, but it's the sort of place where you might spend a morning and genuinely appreciate the quiet.

If you're staying at Secret Valley Escapes nearby, this sits nicely as a half-day outing. Come early to beat any weekend foot traffic. The water's cold - don't fancy a dip - but it's free, the paths are open all year, and you'll leave feeling like you've had proper time outdoors without the fuss.