Swiss Lake

The water here is genuinely Swiss-blue - that startling turquoise that makes you do a double take in the Derbyshire Peak District. Swiss Lake sits just outside Bakewell, a proper little reservoir that's far less touristy than Carsington Water but with equally good views. The walk around it takes about an hour if you're ambling, less if you're after a quick circuit.

It's a working water supply, so don't expect fairground rides or tacky cafes. What you get instead is peace, decent birdwatching, and some surprisingly dramatic crags reflected in the water depending on the light. Families with young walkers will find the path accessible enough, though there are a few steep sections that'll test your knees. Photographers arrive at dawn - the mist lifting off the water is genuinely worth the alarm.

Visit midweek if possible. Weekends bring the Bakewell day-trippers who park everywhere and leave their crisp packets behind. Spring and early autumn are best - summer gets busy, winter can be grim and waterlogged.

If you're staying at Spire View Yurts a few miles away, this makes an easy morning walk before heading into Bakewell proper for lunch. The town itself has enough to occupy an afternoon - decent pubs, the market hall - so you can string together a proper day out. Solo walkers and couples will get far more from this than families expecting entertainment, but it's lovely for a proper ramble with decent views.