The Lake District Feature

Hiking the trails: Whether it's a demanding trek or a gentle stroll, walking is the way to see the Lake District at its best.

Mucking around in boats: There's nowhere better for renting a small boat or taking a cruise. The Coniston Boating Centre and Derwentwater Marina near Keswick are possible places to start.

Literary landscapes: The Lake District has a rich literary history, in the children's books of Beatrix Potter, in the writings of John Ruskin, and in the poems of Wordsworth. Stop at any of the writers' homes to enrich your experience.

Pints and pubs: A pint of real ale in one of the region's inns, such as the Drunken Duck near Hawkshead, may never taste as good as after a day of walking.

Sunrise at Castlerigg: The stone circle at Castlerigg, in a hollow ringed by peaks, is a reminder of the region's ancient history.