Widdale Great Tarn

The walk up to Widdale Great Tarn from Hawes takes you properly into the Pennines, and there's something rather satisfying about reaching a body of water that most tourists miss entirely. It's a moorland lake sitting at around 370 metres, ringed by heather and rough grass, with the kind of views that make you understand why people get obsessed with walking in Yorkshire.

The tarn itself is modest - you won't find sandy beaches or cafés - but that's rather the point. It's a solid two to three hour round trip from Hawes depending on your pace and which route you take. The paths are reasonably clear, though proper boots are worth it after rain. Water levels fluctuate quite a bit, so sometimes it's a decent-sized pool, other times it feels more like an ambitious puddle. Either way, the moorland walking is the real draw here.

This suits walkers rather than casual strollers. If you've got energetic teenagers or adults who actually enjoy a proper hike, it's worth the effort. Kids under ten might find the distance tedious without the payoff of shops or ice cream at the end. The area's wonderfully quiet - you'll rarely see crowds.

Staying at Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite gives you a decent base for exploring this corner of the Dales. The town itself has proper cafés and shops where you can sort yourself out before or after the walk. Free to visit, obviously - just park carefully near the start and give yourself a full afternoon.