Wessenden Reservoir

The walk down to Wessenden Reservoir catches you off guard - you're expecting moorland, which you get, but then suddenly there's this proper stretch of water surrounded by steep valley sides. It's one of three reservoirs strung along the valley, though Wessenden is the one worth the detour if you're based near Holmfirth.

The reservoir itself is about a mile long and feeds water to the surrounding towns. What makes it work is the walk to get there - moorland paths converge from different directions, so you can do a decent circuit without retracing your steps. Allow two to three hours if you're taking photographs and dawdling. Bring a packed lunch because there's nothing at the water's edge, just sheep, gritstone outcrops, and proper Pennine quiet.

Families with older kids will manage fine. Younger ones might find the hike out a bit long without distractions. It's walker territory, not a destination where you park and potter about for twenty minutes. Weather matters - the valley can be bleak when the clouds roll in, but that's rather the point up here.

Several campsites sit within reasonable driving distance. Secret Valley Escapes is the nearest at under four miles, which would make Wessenden an easy morning or afternoon outing. Whitegate Leisure is a touch further but highly rated if you want a more spacious setup. Visit autumn or early summer when the light's decent and the midges aren't out in force.