Langsett Reservoir

Langsett sits on the eastern edge of the Peak District where South Yorkshire meets the moors - a handsome reservoir backed by conifer plantation and the wild sweep of Midhope and Langsett Moors, with the ruined packhorse landscape of the Little Don all around. It is a rewarding, varied fly: water, forest, the dam and the open moor beyond, and in autumn the larches turn the shoreline gold. Park at Langsett Barn, a popular walkers' car park, from where tracks lead down to the water. A fair word of caution on ownership: the reservoir and much of the surrounding land are Yorkshire Water's, and their byelaws restrict activities on their land and water, so the tactful, defensible approach is to take off and land from public ground such as a road verge or the public footpath network rather than YW's shoreline, keep clear of anglers and walkers, and fly considerately. The moor is also access land with ground-nesting birds, so avoid low flying over it in spring. There is no FRZ nearby, so airspace is clear. It is a well-used spot for families and dog-walkers, especially weekends, so an early start keeps you clear of people. Calm mornings give mirror reflections across the reservoir, and October brings the best colour in the trees.