Thruscross Reservoir

The walk around Thruscross Reservoir is one of those proper Yorkshire experiences that sneaks up on you. What starts as a gentle circuit around water becomes something altogether more absorbing - the fell sides rising up on both flanks, the light shifting across the surface, the occasional heron standing absolutely still at the margins.

It's a straightforward walk, maybe two hours round the loop if you're not dawdling, though most people do. There's a car park at the north end near Harrogate, and from there the path hugs the water's edge for most of the way. The southern stretch gets quieter, which is when you notice the gritstone tors catching the light and the moors rolling back into the distance. On a grey day it's moody and atmospheric. On a clear one, genuinely stunning.

Walkers will get the most from this. Families with small children might find the full circuit a bit much, though there are shorter options if you turn back early. History enthusiasts won't find much here - it's a working water supply, built in the 1970s, and there's no visitor centre or signage to speak of. Just water and fellside and the smell of heather.

If you're based at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping just a few minutes' drive away, or any of the other parks dotted nearby, this is an easy add-on to a walking weekend. Good boots recommended - the ground can be boggy - but no fees, no fuss, just a free walk that actually delivers.