Stithians Reservoir

Water sports enthusiasts will find their playground at this sprawling reservoir between Redruth and Penryn. Stithians is Cornwall's largest inland water body, created in the 1960s to supply Camborne and Redruth with drinking water, but it's evolved into something far more entertaining.

Sailing dinghies dot the water most weekends, while the walking path around the perimeter offers proper exercise with rewarding views across the water to distant moorland. The full circuit takes about two hours at a decent pace, though families with small children might prefer the shorter eastern section. Fishing is popular here too, with decent-sized trout and the occasional pike.

Birdwatchers get a good deal - the RSPB manages parts of the shoreline, and winter brings flocks of wildfowl that transform the place into Cornwall's premier inland birding spot. Don't expect tropical clarity though; this is working reservoir water, not a Mediterranean lake.

From Carnkie, it's barely a five-minute drive, making it an easy day out from any of the nearby holiday parks like Lanyon or the glamping sites around Little Menherion. The reservoir works well as a morning activity before heading to the coast, or as a peaceful alternative when the beaches are heaving with August crowds.