Lea Field

This is a particularly sweet spot for walkers, wildlife watchers, cyclists and those in search of other outdoor adventures, with the Lake District National Park just to the west and the Yorkshire Dales to the east. There are walking and hiking trails directly from the site, and the site owners can point you towards lovely spots for wild swimming, watersports or fishing. Heading into the Lakes, you may like to follow the trail to Aira Force waterfall and Castlerigg Stone Circle (both 35 minutes’ drive), go birdwatching at Hawes Water (20 minutes) or take boat trips on Windermere (half an hour). Turning towards the Dales, places like Rutter Force (25 minutes) and Smardale Gill Viaduct (half an hour) might be on the menu. For a bit of local history, pay a visit to Lowther Castle & Gardens (15 minutes), with its fabulous ruins, landscaped gardens and large adventure playground, or medieval Brougham Castle (20 minutes), where the River Eamont meets the River Lowther. Closer to home, the ruins of Shap Abbey (five minutes) are worth visiting, and you can follow up at the village’s pool (England’s highest outdoor pool, fact fans…).