Hill of Oaks

As the biggest natural lake in England (a worthy ten miles long from Newby Bridge to Ambleside and 219 feet deep), Windermere should be your first stop; if you only do one thing on your hol, take a lake cruise from Bowness Bay to Waterhead on a traditional steamer for gentle Lake District sightseeing. Belle Isle, the biggest of Windermere’s 18 islands at about a kilometre in length and the only one that was ever lived on is alas privately owned, but you can hire a rowing boat from Bowness and gaze covetedly at it from the water. On land, walkies are recommended: easy strolls can be had on the family-friendly and viewsome amble from Hills Oak to Gummers How, the highest foothill in the area and to the Lake District’s south; hike to the summit (it’s an easy walk) from Astley's Plantation car park. Walking up Orrest Head from Windermere is another pleasantly accessible promenade, particularly for youngsters, and if you’re a tougher type, the area has heaps of long distance rambles and climbs (whichever you pick, you’ll likely need your camera to snap several of the views). Juvenile wildlife fans should go ape at the biodiversity of the Lake District National Park, where they can spot rare species such as endangered red squirrels, peregrine falcons and possibly – if they’re very lucky – Britain’s only nesting pairs of golden eagles. There are dozens of nature and RSPB reserves in the Lake District and to see more exotic critters up close, Lake District Wildlife Park at Keswick has over a hundred species including boa constrictors, gibbons and meerkats. Adventurous peeps in the Lake District can also try climbing Scafell Pike, mountain biking at Helvellyn and Skiddaw, bushcrafting at Keswick and watersports all over the park including kayaking, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. Too much activity? Head to the town of Windermere for cafés, tearooms, much-needed pubs and that gentle steamboat puffing mentioned earlier; The World of Beatrix Potter is here too.