Brixworth Country Park and Pitsford Water

Pitsford Water is one of Northamptonshire's largest reservoirs, and its 11.3 km perimeter circuit is among the most popular longer walks in the county for good reason: hard-surfaced track throughout, long views across open water, and a café and facilities at the Brixworth Country Park start point. The route follows the reservoir edge through open water, light woodland, and across the northern arm via a causeway, never straying far from the water.

The hard surface makes this genuinely reliable in any weather and at any time of year. Dogs are welcome off-lead on the main trail and throughout the country park, with the exception of the eastern Pitsford Nature Reserve section where leads are required to protect the breeding bird population. The dominant smell is water — cold and mineral from the open reservoir — with boggy margins where the water level drops and reed and willow on the northern stretches. Tufted duck, great crested grebe, and goosander in winter. Café and toilets at the start and finish.