Crosthwaite Church, Keswick

The churchyard sprawls across a gentle slope just outside Keswick town centre, and it's genuinely one of the finest places to sit in the Lake District if you need a moment away from the crowds. St Kentigern's Church - locally called Crosthwaite - dates back to the 12th century, though what you'll see today is largely Victorian restoration. The interior is worth a look: proper Lake District fell light streaming through the windows, and you'll find the graves of some genuinely interesting people, including the poet Robert Southey.

Walkers on the surrounding fells will find this a natural waypoint rather than a destination in itself. The churchyard is tree-lined and peaceful, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. If you're camping at Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club or the highly-rated Castlerigg Hall just down the road, adding this to a morning walk makes sense - there's a proper sense of history here without the museum stuffiness. Kids won't be captivated for long, mind you, unless they're the gravestone-rubbing type.

Admission is free and the churchyard is accessible most daylight hours. Allow twenty minutes for a wander, longer if you're inclined to sit on the bench and watch the fell light change. The church itself opens sporadically, so don't bank on getting inside if you're visiting mid-week. From Threlkeld Hall or Kestrel Lodge, it's a straightforward drive or brisk walk into town. Visit early morning if you can - by midday the place fills with fell runners grabbing water and taking shortcuts.