Get up early and have the fells to yourself. There will be far more wildlife around (I saw two roe deer, three red squirrel, pheasants and rabbits in the woods overlooking Bassenthwaite this morning) and no one on the tops. I was running with my dog for more than an hour, through the woods and up on to Lord's Seat and Barf, and met no one until I returned to the car park at Spout Force and some Americans asked the way to the waterfall. Set your alarm, the earlier the better.

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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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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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Wonderful, wild and interesting. Walney has eleven miles of beautiful unspoilt coastline. You can spend a day mooching around in the sand dunes to the north or visit the bird sanctuary at the south end. Spectacular views of Cumbrian fells and dramatic sunsets.

Off Barrow in Furness. From M6 take A590 towards the Isle of Man. Walney is just before there.

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