You can find things in very strange places across the world. Tourists in Japan who climb Mount Fuji won't just see a stunning view - they'll find a Coca-Cola vending machine. Those camping in Turkmenistan can pitch their tents next to a huge, fiery gas crater.

In the UK, there's nothing quite so nuts as that, but I did recently question my sanity when I found myself walking along a beach during a trip to the landlocked county of Rutland.

Rutland is the smallest county in England, but still manages to offer miles of rolling hills and rich countryside. But, perhaps its biggest attraction is Rutland Water - the largest reservoir in the country.

Built between 1971 and 1975 on the site of the villages Nether Hambleton and most of Middle Hambleton, the site offers an incredible amount for visitors to do.

As a result, when BMW recently gave me one of their latest M235 Gran Coupes for a bit of a road trip, I knew I had to visit this unique site that offers rich history and stunning scenery.

Needless to say, Rutland Water's main attraction is the reservoir itself, which spans a surface area of 4.19 square miles and can be up to 33 metres deep in places.

Made by damming the Gwash Valley in the 1970s, the area now serves as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and is used to supply water to surrounding areas, such as Stamford and Peterborough.

Visitors are able to walk or cycle a complete circuit of the reservoir, but they will need plenty of energy and a good set of boots. One lap of Rutland Water is 23 miles, meaning it will typically take eight hours (or five if tourists miss out the Hambleton Peninsula).

Nonetheless, tourists do not need to be experienced walkers to enjoy a visit to Rutland Water. The site features four main car parks, which are typically open to the public from early Spring until late Autumn. That said, car park charges have increased in recent years, with a current rate of £2 per hour for up to six hours.

Nonetheless, those who leave their car in the Normanton Car Park will not only get a beautiful view of the reservoir, a 10-minute walk will lead them to the Normanton Church - a tiny yet very attractive church that can be used for intimate civil ceremonies, such as weddings.

During the construction of Rutland Water, the church was actually meant to be deconsecrated and destroyed. However, public outcry meant that the building would be saved, with the rubble underneath swapped for concrete and a walkway surrounded by pebbles constructed to reduce the risk of erosion - not to mention creating the illusion that the church is floating on the reservoir's surface.

As expected, Rutland Water is also home to a wide range of recreational activities. During my visit, on a very beautiful yet exceptionally windy day, quite a few visitors were windsurfing on the reservoir, whereas others found a scenic spot to fish.

A passenger boat called the Rutland Belle often sails from Normanton to Whitwell on the water; however, it is a good idea for visitors to try and pay for their trip on the day itself, with rough weather stopping some journeys.

And then, of course, is the most surreal thing that I encountered during my trip to Rutland Water. Near to the North Shore's car park, visitors will find a 140-metre sandy beach, complete with a lifeguard hut and 2,800m2 of water to paddle in. For a Midlander, beaches like this are a rare and welcome sight, but the temperature would have to be a bit hotter for me to sunbathe or break out the swimming trunks.

In all, Rutland Water offered a surprising mix of attractions for the whole family to enjoy. The site offers a good mix of nature watching, hiking and cycling opportunities, history, and relaxation.

As for the BMW, the reservoir's rural location means that it is surrounded by some peaceful and particularly entertaining countryside roads that can challenge your skill behind the wheel without the risk of accidents and breaking the law.

However, my advice to those visiting Rutland Water would be to plan ahead. The number of others visiting the area can vary dramatically depending on the time of year and weather, which can also have a knock-on effect on what attractions are available.