Startop's End Reservoir

Startop's End Reservoir sits just outside Tring, a proper walker's destination that most people miss entirely. It's a working water supply, so you won't be swimming or mucking about in boats, but the three-mile perimeter path is genuinely pleasant - flat, well-maintained, and lined with willows that make the whole thing feel rather more rural than it has any right to given its proximity to the Chilterns.

The reservoir itself is unremarkable from a distance, but birdwatchers will find plenty to occupy themselves. Great crested grebes, cormorants, and a decent range of ducks mean you should bring binoculars. Spring and autumn are your best bets for migrants. The north bank offers decent views across the water, though nothing that'll make your jaw drop.

This works best as a straightforward circular walk - allow 90 minutes at a leisurely pace - rather than a destination in itself. Families with young children will be fine for an hour, but they might get restless after that. It's the kind of spot that slots neatly into a wider Chilterns itinerary, combining well with a stay at one of the nearby glamping sites like Chiltern Yurts or Wingbury Farm, both within a few miles.

Tring itself is worth a wander afterwards - the canal runs through town and the High Street has proper character. Free access, open year-round. Best visited outside school holidays when the car parks aren't rammed with families doing the same thing.