Brick Kiln Wood

Like a good laugh? The Laurel and Hardy Museum is five minutes away by road if you fancy learning more about Stan Laurel, probably Ulverston's most famous son. For meditation and mindfulness, meanwhile, drop by at Conishead Priory (five minutes), a historic Gothic Revival building on the Furness Peninsula that's been a popular local Buddhist centre since the 1970s. Other local points of interest include the Sir John Barrow Monument (10 minutes), a 100-foot tower built to resemble a lighthouse but without a light inside, the South Lakes Safari Zoo (15 minutes), home to an array of unusual creatures from near and far, and Furness Abbey (20 minutes), once the largest and wealthiest monastery in this part of England. For outdoor activities, head for a walk around Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve (20 minutes), a vast coastal habitat with miles of spectacular sand dunes, or head to the hills and hike up the Old Man of Coniston (40 minutes) – making sure you have checked the forecast, know where you’re going and are properly equipped beforehand, of course.