Lanefoot Farm

Where to start with all the fab things to see and do in the Lake District? Well, if you’re a walker perhaps with a canter up Catbells (10 minutes’ drive), as a warm-up for an attempt to summit the 931 metres of Skiddaw (20 minutes). Castlerigg Stone Circle (10 minutes) is good for a stroll if you’re after something a tad less strenuous. And if you fancy a few different outdoorsy days? Perhaps an outing to the marina at Derwentwater for sailing or canoeing (or cruises for lazier days), or to Whinlatter Forest Park, where daredevils can take to the downhill mountain bike trails or zoom along the ziplines at the Go Ape adventure park. Both are about five minutes away by car. There’s some excellent local wildlife to be spotted all around this area, of course, but it’s also worth a visit to the Lake District Wildlife Park (10 minutes) to see a few things that are rather more exotic. If the weather’s a little damp round the edges (it happens…), drive to Keswick (five minutes) for theatre shows, shopping and the pencil museum. Or you could take refuge in the brewery, of course…