Derwentwater Jetties

The jetties themselves aren't much to look at - a handful of Victorian landing stages dotting the shoreline of Derwentwater, just outside Keswick. But that's rather the point. They're the embarkation points for the lake launches, those proper little steamers and modern boats that chug across the water, and they're genuinely the best way to see this enormous, moody lake properly.

What makes them work is the vantage point. Stand on one of the jetties on a clear morning and you've got Catbells and Borrowdale spread out before you, the fells reflected in water so still it looks fake. On a grey day - which, let's be honest, is most days up here - it's equally atmospheric, just in a different way. The jetties are free to use, and you can walk along the shore regardless of whether you're boarding a boat.

For families with restless kids, the launches themselves are the draw - hopping on and off at different stops around the lake keeps things varied. Serious walkers use them tactically, getting dropped at one end of a ridge walk and collected at the other. History types might linger; the jetties date back to the Victorian era when Derwentwater became a proper tourist destination.

If you're staying at Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club or Castlerigg Hall just up the road, you're minutes away. The launches run most days weather permitting, though exact timetables shift with seasons. Allow an hour just wandering the jetties, longer if you're actually taking a boat. It's not a destination in itself - more a practical and rather lovely gateway into exploring the lake properly.