Daventry Reservoir

The water stretches out flat and wide, hemmed in by grassy banks and the odd clump of trees - Daventry Reservoir is a proper working water supply, not a theme park, which means it's refreshingly quiet. You won't find fairgrounds or ice cream vans here, just walkers, the occasional fisherman, and decent views across Northamptonshire's roll-call of unremarkable but pleasant countryside.

It's the kind of place that rewards a morning walk rather than a day trip. The circuit around the water takes a couple of hours at an easy pace, and the paths are well-kept enough for families with buggies, though they're not spectacularly dramatic. History types might find it interesting that this lot filled up in 1992 - relatively recent in reservoir terms - but there's no visitor centre or interpretation boards to make a song and dance about it.

Free to access, no gates or admission charge, though parking can be tight at peak times. Come early or mid-week if you want elbowroom. It's ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - EWE Glamping and Hideaway Wood Farm are both within walking distance - and you want something straightforward for an hour or two without travelling far. Kids under ten might find it a bit samey after the first lap, but keen young walkers and birdwatchers will get on with it fine. The water itself is off-limits to swimmers, so factor that in.