South Grain Tarn

The walk to South Grain Tarn rewards you with one of Wensleydale's quieter water views - a proper fell lake that feels genuinely remote despite being accessible from Leyburn. You're looking at a moorland basin surrounded by rough grass and bracken, the kind of place that gets surprisingly moody when clouds roll in off the Pennines.

It's not a destination for sitting about with an ice cream. This is walkers' terrain. The approach involves a solid tramp across open moorland, so bring proper boots and check the weather before you head out. Allow a good three hours for the round trip if you're starting from the nearest access point. The reward is solitude - you'll rarely find crowds, which makes it genuinely special compared to the honeypot walks around Aysgarth Falls further down the dale.

Families with younger legs might find it bit steep for what it is, unless they're keen on moorland hiking. Teenagers and serious walkers will get far more from it. The tarn itself is modest in size, but the sense of isolation makes it worthwhile. There's nothing there - no cafe, no facilities - so bring everything with you.

If you're based at Stablefell Holidays or Cherish Glamping nearby, it works well as a morning expedition before exploring Leyburn's market square in the afternoon. Hawes, only six miles away, makes another good base if you want to combine fell walking with the Wensleydale Creamery visit.