Thornton Steward Reservoir

The water here is surprisingly still on a grey Yorkshire morning. Thornton Steward Reservoir sits in the Wensleydale valley north of Leyburn, a proper working reservoir that's become a decent spot for a walk without the crowds you'd get at more famous Dales attractions. It's not a dramatic landscape - the water is surrounded by gentle moorland rather than craggy peaks - but there's something quite calming about the simplicity of it.

The walk around the reservoir takes a couple of hours depending on your pace and which path you choose. The eastern shore is easier going, while the western side gets a bit rougher underfoot. On a clear day the views open up nicely across Wensleydale. Birdwatchers do well here - you'll spot curlew and redshank if you're patient - and fishing is popular with locals, though you'll need to check access rules before you head down.

This works well as a half-day stop if you're based at Eastfield Glamping Farm just down the road, or combining it with a longer Dales loop. It's not the sort of place where you'll linger for hours, but it's a proper stretch of the legs without any of the faffing about with visitor centres or car park queues. Go early in the day if you can; late afternoon light across the water is worth timing for.