Penrith

Red sandstone buildings line the streets of this market town that sits at the crossroads of the Lakes and Pennines. Penrith feels properly northern - no tourist tat here, just a working town where locals still shop on King Street and the Tuesday market brings farmers down from the fells. The castle ruins remind you this was once a frontier post, keeping the Scots at bay.

Just outside town, things get interesting fast. The Millennium Fish Cross marks an ancient site where pilgrims once rested, while the eerie Dalemain Alcove speaks to centuries of local history. More unusual are the modern sculptures dotted about - the Topiary dragon shows someone's got a sense of humour, and the Sleeping giant makes for a good photo stop.

Walkers love the surrounding peaks. Soulby Fell offers cracking views without the Lake District crowds, while Dacre Bank gives you proper fell walking within minutes of town. The various plantations - Rumney's, Salmond's, Lodge Wood - provide gentler strolls through ancient woodland.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The M6 runs right past, and the train from London takes just over four hours. It's a 20-minute drive to Ullswater, 30 to Keswick, making it a clever base for exploring both the northern Lakes and the wilder Pennine country.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. Places like Ullswater Holiday Park put you right by the lake, while Lowther Holiday Park sits in parkland that's been welcoming visitors for centuries. The glamping options at Howdy and Crossgate mean you can experience the landscape without roughing it completely.