Kendal

Five centuries of mintcake-making have given this southern gateway to the Lakes a proper working town feel that's refreshingly free from tourist tat. Kendal keeps its sleeves rolled up while Windermere and Ambleside play host to coach parties. The grey limestone streets tell stories of wool merchants and fell runners, with the River Kent cutting through the middle like a green ribbon.

Walk up to Williamson's Monument on the western edge of town for cracking views across to the Howgill Fells. It's a proper climb but worth every step. The monument itself commemorates a local philanthropist, though most folk come for the panorama stretching from Morecambe Bay to the central fells. On clear days you can pick out Helvellyn's distinctive ridge.

Fell walkers know Kendal as the jumping-off point for the eastern Lakes. Hugill Fell offers a gentle introduction to Lakeland walking, while the woodlands around Dorothy Farrer's Spring Wood and Ann Beddard's Wood provide easier rambles when the weather turns. Reston Scar gives you that proper fell-top feeling without the commitment of a full day's hiking.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - the M6 runs just to the east, and Oxenholme station connects you to the main west coast railway line. Burneside station serves local services if you're exploring by train. The town sits at the perfect distance from the tourist honey pots - close enough for day trips to Windermere, far enough away to escape the crowds.

Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you within striking distance of both the central Lakes and the quieter eastern valleys. You're 15 minutes from Windermere's shores but can retreat to proper Cumbrian countryside when the day-trippers head home.