Napton Reservoir

The water at Napton Reservoir sits perfectly still on a grey morning, reflecting the sky back at itself like polished glass. It's a working reservoir, not a leisure destination dressed up for tourists, which is precisely why it's worth a visit if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites around Southam.

You can walk the perimeter - it takes a good hour to do it properly without rushing - and the path is manageable for most fitness levels, though muddy stretches appear after rain. Walkers and birdwatchers get the most from it. The reservoir attracts wildfowl throughout the year, so bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing. Photography types will find decent light in early morning or late afternoon, when the water catches colour instead of just grey.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of. Access appears to be open, though it's wise to check locally in Southam before heading out, as water company rules can shift. Allow yourself flexibility - you might spend forty minutes here or two hours depending on whether the birds are cooperative.

It works well as a morning walk if you're based at Holt Farm Campsite or Hill Farm Glamping, both within easy reach. The surrounding countryside is proper walking country, so combine it with a stomp across the fields and you've got a solid half-day sorted. Not dramatic, not Instagram-worthy, but genuinely peaceful.