Summer Lodge Tarn

The water at Summer Lodge Tarn sits perfectly still most mornings, reflecting the fells above like a dark mirror. It's a proper small lake in the Yorkshire Dales, just a few miles from Leyburn, and honestly it's the kind of spot you stumble upon rather than plan a trip around. That said, if you're camping at Usha Gap Farm or Cherish Glamping nearby, it's absolutely worth the short drive.

What you get here is straightforward - a quiet body of water ringed by moorland and rough grass, decent for a gentle walk and a sit-down with a flask. The banks aren't manicured or fussy. There's no cafe, no visitor centre, no interpretive boards telling you what you're looking at. You just turn up and find yourself alone with the landscape, which some people love and others find a bit bleak depending on the weather.

Walkers and photographers do well here. The tarn itself takes maybe thirty minutes to circuit if you're not rushing, and the surrounding moorland offers longer rambles into the Dales. Families with restless kids might find it underwhelming - there's nothing to do except look and walk, and the approach isn't particularly dramatic. If you're after a morning's activity while based at one of the local caravan sites, it ticks a box. If you're making it your destination from elsewhere, you'd probably want to combine it with Leyburn's market and the wider Wensleydale walking network. Free to visit, no hours to worry about.