Rowley Lake

The water here sits quiet and still, surrounded by moorland that rolls away towards the Pennines. Rowley Lake, just outside Rossendale, is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - a proper local spot that doesn't make it onto most tourism boards. It's a working reservoir, so don't expect a lido atmosphere, but that's precisely what makes it worthwhile.

You can walk the perimeter, which takes a decent couple of hours depending on your pace and how many times you stop to look at the hills. The paths are straightforward enough, though muddy patches appear after rain. Bird watchers turn up regularly - it's good for that - and the water reflects whatever weather's coming in, which photographers seem to appreciate more than most.

Walkers will get more from this than families with young children. There's no playground, no café, no facilities as such. You're here for the walk and the quiet, really. Free to access, naturally. Best visited on a clear day when you can actually see where you're going and the views across to the moors justify the effort.

If you're staying at Rossendale Holiday Cottages & Glamping or one of the forest glamping spots nearby - Trawden Forest or Higher Grange - Rowley Lake works as a half-day break from base. It slots nicely into a longer Rossendale walking trip without demanding too much of your schedule. Don't expect drama. Expect solitude.