Brown Cove Tarn

The walk to Brown Cove Tarn rewards you with one of the quieter lake basins in the Lake District - a proper contrast to the crowds you'll find at more famous tarns nearby. It's a modest alpine pool cradled by steep fellsides, the water dark and reflective on calm days, and the whole spot feels remote despite being accessible from Penrith in under an hour.

You'll need to be a reasonably capable walker to reach it. The route climbs steadily through High Street's eastern slopes, and the scramble to the tarn itself demands sure footing and a head for heights in places. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on fitness. The reward isn't a dramatic summit view but something quieter - a mountain lake where you genuinely might have the place to yourself midweek.

Historically-minded types and serious hikers will get the most from this one. Families with young children should look elsewhere. The tarn sits at roughly 580 metres, so weather can turn fast even when conditions seem settled below.

It's free, naturally - just park sensibly near the starting point and go. Early morning or late afternoon visits in summer tend to be best for avoiding other walkers. If you're staying at either Ewe Love Camping Pods or Troutbeck Head, you're well-positioned for a day tackling Brown Cove alongside other High Street fell walks. Worth the effort if you're already in the area and keen on solitude.