YHA Helvellyn

England third highest, and most climbed, mountain Helvellyn is the big draw around here, and rightly so: this peak making up the highest point of the Helvellyn range has been named by the BBC as the best walk in England. Probably even more famed in the Lake District is Ullswater, the national park’s second biggest lake and accessible an easy five-minutes’ drive – or about half an hour’s walk – away. A ride on an Ullswater steamer is a must in this part of the Lakes, followed by a hike along part of the Ullswater Way past Pooley Bridge; access the path at Glenridding, for the remote six and a half-mile path to Howtown. If you’re determined to stick to watery pursuits (sensible), these are easily sorted five minutes’ drive away too at Glenridding’s watersports centre on the Ullswater shores, where sailing, boating, kayaking and canoeing are all available. Further cruises are on Windermere, half an hour’s drive away: obviously you know that this is the biggest Lake District lake...