Rothay Park

The River Rothay winds through this modest nature reserve on Ambleside's doorstep, and it's worth a quick detour if you're camping nearby at Lakeside Retreat or one of the other parks dotting the valley. You won't find dramatic fell views or lengthy hiking trails here - this is a gentle riverside spot where the water runs clear over smooth stones and the banks stay manageable underfoot.

It's best for a short walk rather than a day out. Twenty minutes upstream and back gives you the gist: native woodland, the sound of running water, and the kind of peace that makes you wonder why everyone's queuing at the busier Lake District attractions. Families with young kids will manage it fine, though there's not much to hold their attention once the initial novelty of jumping across stones wears off. Walkers heading deeper into the fells might stop here to clear their heads before tackling the harder routes above Ambleside.

The reserve slots well into a Lake District holiday if you're staying at one of the caravan parks within walking distance - Skelwith Fold is barely a mile away, and Low Wray Campsite just two. It's free and unmanned, so you can wander whenever suits, though dawn or early evening tends to be quieter than midday. Proper good if you want to stretch your legs without committing to a full-day expedition. Just don't expect it to be a destination in itself.