Buttermere

Ringed by peaks and crags, the tranquil waters and lakeside paths of Buttermere make a popular day-trip from Keswick, with the best approach being the sweeping descent into the valley from Honister Pass. There’s no real village here – just a few houses and farms, a couple of hotels and a youth hostel, a café and large car park. The four-mile, round-lake stroll circling Buttermere shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours; you can always detour up Scarth Gap to the peak known as Haystacks (1900ft) if you want more of a climb and views.