Keswick

The fells rise like sleeping giants around this compact market town, their fell-walker-worn paths beckoning from every street corner. Keswick sits snug in the Borrowdale valley, with Derwentwater lapping at its edges and some of the Lake District's most dramatic peaks within easy striking distance. It's proper walking country - the sort of place where muddy boots are worn with pride and weather chat dominates every pub conversation.

Blencathra looms magnificently to the north, its knife-edge ridges offering some of the finest fell walking in the Lakes. The mountain's various routes suit everyone from Sunday strollers to serious scramblers. Great Dodd and White Side provide gentler alternatives, while the more adventurous can tackle the challenging scramble up Bannerdale Crags.

Town life revolves around the central market square, where outdoor gear shops outnumber cafes two to one. The weekly market still draws farmers down from the fells, selling everything from Cumberland sausage to hand-knitted jumpers. Thursday market day sees the place properly buzzing - arrive early for the best local produce.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. The A66 sweeps you straight into town from the M6, while regular buses connect to Windermere and Penrith stations for those arriving by train. Parking can be a nightmare in summer though - the central car parks fill by 9am on sunny weekends.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to pop into town for supplies or a proper meal, but far enough out to escape the summer crowds. Castlerigg Hall and the various sites around Threlkeld put you right at the foot of the fells, with Clough Head and the eastern ranges practically on your doorstep.