The Cumbria Way is a long distance walk through the heart of the Lake District from Ulverston to Carlisle. Highlights include Lake Coniston and Derwent Water. The walk is comprised of five stages, each taking a day to complete.

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Country house previously owned by artist John Ruskin. Near to Lake Coniston, so, if it's a nice day, combine with a walk along the lakeshore or even up nearby fell Coniston Old Man.

www.thelakedistrict.info/2008/07/brantwood-house.html

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It may be only the second highest mountain in England but it has the best views! Fantastic walk from Glenridding or Patterdale via Striding Edge.

www.helvellyn.com

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Manesty Holiday Cottages are in Borrowdale, one of the most beautiful valleys in England, just a 10 minute walk from Lake Derwentwater. They have simply fantastic views.

You can walk from the door on to the fells (my favourite walk, Catbells is just behind the cottages) or to the lake through the wood.

They also have a natural wood-fired hot tub in a small woodland overlooking the valley that you can book by the day - perfect after a long walk.

The cottages are clean and warm and run by a family who live just a minute away. Good value for money. Highly recommended, especially if you are after the quiet life.

www.manesty.co.uk
Manesty Holiday Cottages, Manesty, Borrowdale, Keswick
017687 77216

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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 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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A hamlet at the bottom of Skiddaw, near Keswick. Just a very nice place to walk, and there are rental cottages there. You can start the climb up Skiddaw there or just walk a little way up the fells. Also great views of two lakes

Near Keswick

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Between the villages of Coniston and Hawkshead, this sculpture forest is home to more than 70 treasures hidden in the woodland. There are several walking/cycling routes which snake through the trees and allow for arty pit stops and beautiful views over Coniston Water.

www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5k2b6b

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Dwarfed by the surrounding views of Skiddaw, Helvellyn and Blencathra, Castlerigg still manages to maintain its dignity like an immobile Haley Joel Osmont against the awesome acting might of Bruce Willis. Despite its youth (just 5,000 years old on Monday), the stone circle is a place that just feels, well, wise. Get there early and ponder on the passage of people through time and you'll get an eerie feeling for the importance of this site. Get there late and you'll be jostling for photo opportunities with the Addams Family.

Just outside Keswick and along Castle Lane from the A591.

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With apologies to Julie Andrews, as far as mountain climbing for beginners goes there's nun better than Skiddaw with its natural route clearly visible.

It's a steep climb, but persistence will deliver some amazing views. There are no ropes, pickaxes or on-all-fours required, although be prepared for a slight feeling of shame as runners often jog past.

Take a child and pretend you are going at their pace.

Follow the signposts on the A591 and you'll soon be on the simplest way up Skiddaw.

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A pool of water in the navel of Grasmere, Easedale Tarn is a place to sit by and gaze into. People tend to stand around, basking in the captured sunlight as they wait, perhaps, for a mail-clad hand to rise gloriously from the Tarn's centre and give the finger to anyone who owns a 4x4.

Travel up Easdale Road out of Grasmere and follow the signs.

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