Eel Tarn

The walk in to Eel Tarn is half the charm - a proper fell walk that takes you away from the main tourist trails around the Lake District. You're looking at a modest mountain lake hemmed in by steep slopes, quiet and moody depending on the weather. The water's dark, the setting's raw, and there's almost no one there, which is refreshing given how rammed Windermere gets.

It's not a destination if you're after obvious drama or Instagram moments. Walkers will find it genuinely rewarding - the approach from near Holmrook offers solid fell-walking without needing technical skills, and the isolation makes it feel like you've earned the views. If you've got teenagers who'll actually walk without complaining, brilliant. Small children will find it a slog. History buffs and casual strollers looking for a lakeside picnic won't get much out of it.

Allow a solid three hours for the full circuit, maybe two and a half if you're brisk. There's no cafe, no facilities, no charge - you're entirely self-sufficient up here. The best approach is early morning or late afternoon when you might genuinely have the place to yourself.

Fisherground Campsite sits just down the valley near Holmrook and makes a logical base - you could easily fit this walk into a weekend without overcommitting. Weather matters more than most Lake District walks; on a clear day it's worth the effort, on a wet one it's just bleak.