A hidden gem, the coastal Georgian port of Whitehaven about 15 miles out of the national park.

All the perks of the lake district, without the crowds or the expense. Fantastic harbourside with great places to eat, and the maritime festival is a well worth visiting.

www.rediscoverwhitehaven.com/
www.thefestival.org.uk/

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This is the original of Holly Howe, the farm around which Swallows and Amazons was set. For some reason while your correspondents have acknowledged Beatrix Potter they have ignored the other great Lakes writer of children's books, Arthur Ransome. B&B accommodation is in the main house, and self-catering in the farm buildings - all to a high standard.

You can walk in the famous field down to the lake, where Roger (who grew up to be the asthma doctor who developed Intal) practiced his tacking.

At Windermere you can visit the Windermere Steamboats and Museum where the original Amazon, and Captain Flint's houseboat are preserved.

There are a number of pubs in Coniston village - a walk round the head of the lake - which do good evening bar meals.

Bank Ground
East of Lake Road,
Coniston,
Cumbria LA21 8AA
Tel 015394 41264
info@bankground.com
www.bankground.com
Nearest station Windermere

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It might not seem like the typical choice for this area but one of the best family breaks I have taken has been at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest in the Lake District. There was something for everyone in my family to do including my seven-year-old son who never wants to do anything. My husband and I even managed to break away for a couples spa at Aqua Sana, Center Parcs' own spa. I never knew it but Whinfell Forest has its own native red squirrel population, which is one of the last colonies in the UK. In all it was an excellent holiday and I hear that the villas are being redesigned this year and I cannot wait to go back!

Whinfell Forest
Penrith
CA10 2DW
www.centerparcs.co.uk
08700 673 030
Penrith Station

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Located near Borrowdale, The Honister Slate mine is a hidden treasure. It is located in one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of the Lake District and even your drive up there will take your breath away.

When you get there, you can take trips into an amazing working slate mine. You can see giant underground caverns, old slate mining equipment and techniques and much more. During the summer you can also take a trip around the edge of the mine - a hair-raising high and narrow foot path.

The staff here are great and the experience second to none. The tamer tours are great for kids but there is plenty on offer for all ages.

The only drawback to the mine is that it can be quite hard to find. The National Trust are apparently quite reluctant to signpost this attraction - goodness knows why.

It is located on The Honister Pass in Keswick. There are more details on the website.

www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/

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This is one of those country pubs where, upon first entering after a long day's hike, you wonder whether you've mistakenly barged into someone's front room. Sure enough, you do have to keep the house rules in mind: live music only (no jukebox); make an effort to chat with the regulars; and number one, real ales only. Anyone asking for a lager top or a snowball or something will be greeted with a disdainful stare that could dry up Lake Coniston...

But play the game at this very independent family-run venue and your reward will be a fine selection of beers at rock-bottom prices and a genuinely hospitable local atmosphere, where the folks know everything about the area and will give you far more tips than this site ever can. Lastly - if you're lucky - beyond the usual bar meals at lunchtime, plates of free pub nosh have been known to come out from time to time to help soak up the ale.

Foxfield, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA20 6BX
Tel: 01229 716238
Off the A5092 or opposite Foxfield station
www.princeofwalesfoxfield.co.uk

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This is a magical place from my childhood and a place I still visit often.

If you have young children they'll love searching the rock pools for starfish, crabs and small fish and they'll fall in love with the sea birds dancing on the shore line as the sun slowly comes to rest after a long day of adventure.

A heron often visits the beach of an evening and it, along with the Oyster Catchers add to the sense of escape. If you bring your binoculars you can watch for porpoise as you look out across the Irish Sea toward the Isle of Man.

If you have a head for heights you can take a cliff walk and there is a wonderful links golf course to enjoy.

The Cumbrian Coastal train stops at St Bees or it is a short cycle ride from Whitehaven train station.

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Friendly cafe in a converted woodmill in Staveley (between Kendal and Windermere). Good menu - I recommend the tasty veggie chilli and homemade cakes. There are also some tables outside, including some that overlook the river at the back.

Mill Yard, Staveley, LA8 9LR
01539 822329
www.wilfs-cafe.co.uk
Nearest station: Staveley

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Restaurant, cafe, jazz bar and cinema all rolled into one! Located in Ambleside, I have been visiting this place for over 20 years. In that time it’s gone through some changes but it still remains a wonderful place to go especially now with the addition of a jazz bar playing live jazz most Saturdays.

The restaurant and cafe are veggie but the kind of veggie that makes you want to convert! Cinema has four screens – two in the main building and two just down the road on the edge of the beautiful park. Go for the ‘movie deal’ (cinema ticket and meal) then afterwards listen to jazz for one of the best nights out in the Lakes!

Zeffirellis
Compston Road
Ambleside
LA22 9AD
www.zeffirellis.com
Tel: 015394 33845

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