Buttermere

Buttermere sits in a quiet valley west of Keswick, alongside its neighbours Crummock Water and Loweswater. The village itself is tiny: a handful of farms and houses, a chapel and two inns, all looked after by the National Trust. High fells such as Red Pike, High Stile and Fleetwith Pike rise straight from the shore.

From Keswick you reach the valley over the Newlands Hause or Honister passes, both narrow, winding roads with grand views. The level path around the lake is a lovely walk for all ages. In summer the Honister Rambler bus links Buttermere with Keswick if you would rather leave the car behind.