Stanwick Hall Reservoir

The walk around Stanwick Hall Reservoir near Richmond is straightforward and genuinely pleasant, especially if you're after a gentle lakeside stroll without the crowds. You get decent views across the water, and on a clear day the surrounding moorland gives you a proper sense of being out in Yorkshire rather than stuck on a park circuit.

It's ideal for families with young kids or older walkers who don't fancy anything too demanding. The path is well-maintained and fairly level throughout, so you won't spend half the time negotiating mud or dodgy footing. Most people seem to take around an hour to do the full circuit, which feels about right - long enough to feel you've had a walk but not so long you're checking your watch by the end.

If you're staying at Hewn Yorkshire just down the road, this makes a solid half-day option when the weather's decent. Pair it with a visit into Richmond itself for lunch, and you've got a proper day sorted. The reservoir itself isn't dramatic or particularly wild, but that's rather the point. It's a working water supply that happens to have a track around it, and sometimes the best walks are the simplest ones.

Go when it's not raining heavily - the ground can get boggy in patches - and bring binoculars if you're at all interested in birds. Otherwise, just expect a straightforward walk with nice views and space to breathe.