Hardknott Roman Fort & Thermae

Climbing up that steep mountain pass towards Hardknott Fort feels properly ambitious - and it should, because the Romans built this place to intimidate. Perched at 300 metres above the Eskdale Valley near Holmrook, it's one of the highest forts in the entire empire, and standing in the ruins you understand why. They weren't messing about.

What you get is the fort's skeletal remains - stone foundations, the bath house (thermae), and enough layout to actually visualise what was here. The views alone justify the trip. You can see right across the Lake District fells, and on a clear day it's the sort of spot that makes you forget how cold it probably was for those Roman soldiers.

This works best for history types and serious walkers. Families with young kids might find the steep access road and bare foundations a bit underwhelming - there's no visitor centre or interpretation boards. You'll need a decent map and good legs to get the most from it. Allow two hours including the walk and a proper poke around.

If you're camping at Fisherground (4.1 miles away) or Great Langdale (5.1 miles), Hardknott makes a solid half-day excursion. The drive itself up that narrow mountain pass is worth doing for the scenery. It's free to visit. Go when the weather's decent - fog rolls in fast up there, and you'll lose all those fell views.