A huge stone circle in excellent condition surrounded by mountains, with no tourist information centre and no visitor guides. It was used to plan harvests. You will feel like a Neolithic man or woman harnessing and beginning to understand the wonder of the natural world.

www.visitcumbria.com/kes/castlerigg-stone-circle.htm
Castle Lane, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4XX
+44(0)191 269 1200

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This is a service stop in Cumbria, on the edge of the lake district. However it serves lovely food overlooking a lake and fountain which is home to many birds and wildfowl. It also sells local farm produce, handmade cakes, local beers etc to take away.

www.westmorland.com/tebay-services
Westmorland Place, Orton, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 3SB
+44(0)15396 24511
Google map: bit.ly/qWS5EH

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Tucked away from Kendal's busy main shopping street in one of the few riverside locations in Kendal. The Waterside Cafe is hidden away on a traffic-free, pedestrianised area beside the River Kent, making it a longstanding favourite of many locals, but easily missed by visitors. It meets all the requirements of even the strictest veggies; there's a new menu everyday, vegan and vegetarian meals are cooked on the premises with Fairtrade and organic ingredients, served by very friendly staff. If the weather's good enough, eat at the outside tables and watch the river flow by. Then, after a quiet, healthy veggie lunch it will be time to get back to the shopping, or walk off your lunch with a hike across the river to Kendal Castle to see the view that makes Kendal the gateway to the English Lake District.

www.watersidewholefood.co.uk
Kent View, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DZ
+44(0)1539 729743
Google map: bit.ly/g3uwqi

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Breathtaking views, an easy walk with lovely autumn colours, and a bonus in the Lakes; dogs can run free in the wood. Follow the main path from the car park going roughly South. The path starts climbing up the side of a pretty beck with a waterfall. Soon you are on the open fell of Low Moss. Turn left and soon you reach the lovely heathery summit of Walla Crag. Rest for a while, eat your sandwiches and take in the view before returning to the path. Stride on in a Northerly direction across the fell until you come to the ford and footbridge at the small farm at Rakefoot. The path leaves the lane after a few yards and looks down precipitously on Brockle Beck. Soon it turns left into Great Wood and any one of the paths takes you back to the start.

A few miles from Keswick on the Borrowdale Road. There is a car park and buses go along the road.
Google map: bit.ly/8Yjet2

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If you like your beautiful walks varied, try Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. There are ancient tracks and waymarked modern paths snaking through mixed woodland. You will see woodpeckers and treecreepers, and all the flora you would expect. In addition, there are up to 100 sculptures (all installed in the last few decades). My favourites are a trompe l'oeil elephant on a rock and a giant spindly woman holding a waterfall. There is even a carving on a trunk done by German POWs. Grizedale is a special place with secrets galore.

Grizedale Visitor Centre, nr Hawkshead
Esthwaite Water and Cursey Beck,, Coniston, Cumbria LA22 0QJ
+44(0)1229 860010
Google map: bit.ly/d1uepp

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Great views of the Lake District mountains, a wonderful valley after first climb and a lesser walked route, so no busy crowds.

seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/?p=22

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A great one or two day walk with fantastic views, bracing climbs and a great overnight camp.

It also gives you a rare chance to be at top of Scafell Pike on your own if you leave it to quite close to sunset - a rare thing.

Photos here
www.seanliquorish.co.uk/gallery/?album=Sean%2FWalking%2FScafell-Bowfell&page=all

Main Article here
seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/?p=19

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Obviously the name is fantastic, but also were the cakes which were all homemade and delicious (and served in massive slices). Staff were also lovely and there's a cute window seat.

Tucked down an alley in Hawkshead.

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Fantastic food and very nice staff - we ended up eating there two nights in a row.

Boot, Lake District (near Hard Knott pass)

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Yattus is a self-catering cottage in the Lake District. For me, the best things about it were:
* two king-sized bedrooms (very unusual in my experience) so perfect for two couples going away together
* Amazing old building, 17th century with wood fires and even some original furniture. Felt like a real treat to stay there.
* Location - Eskdale seems to be a bit off the beaten path but you're really near all the big peaks (Scafell, Bowfell, etc) and L'al Ratty (toy steam train) goes through the village too

Eskdale Green
www.yattus-eskdale.co.uk/

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