Blea Tarn

The walk to Blea Tarn is the whole point here - and it's a proper slog uphill from the Old Dungeon Ghyll car park near Holmrook. But push through it and you'll find yourself standing beside this surprisingly turquoise lake, cradled by steep fell sides that look like they've been carved out just for this pocket of water. It's the sort of place that makes you forget how many people were on the path behind you.

The tarn itself is small - you can walk round it in twenty minutes if you're not stopping constantly to take photos. The water's that shade of blue that only happens when sunlight hits glacial silt, and on a clear day the reflection of the Old Man of Coniston across the water is genuinely worth the effort. Photographers and serious walkers get the most from this one. Families with young kids might find the climb tedious, and the reward - a relatively modest lake - can feel anticlimactic if you're expecting something more dramatic.

There's no facilities at the tarn itself, so bring water and snacks. The best light is morning, before afternoon clouds roll in off the Irish Sea. Allow three to four hours from Holmrook for the round trip if you're not racing. It pairs brilliantly with Fisherground Campsite nearby, making a solid half-day excursion that doesn't need a full expedition mentality. Worth it for fell walkers. Less essential if you're after an easy stroll.