Hood Tarn

A proper tarn, Hood Lake sits tucked into the fells above Kendal with the kind of quiet that makes you wonder why more people don't bother making the trip. The walk up takes the best part of an hour from the nearest car park, but that's rather the point - by the time you get there, you've earned the water and the views across to the surrounding hills feel like a private reward.

It's a small lake, not a drama-filled destination. You won't find facilities or crowds or Instagram moments that'll make your friends jealous. What you will find is a genuine fell-top tarn that sits properly in the landscape rather than feeling like an attraction someone's decided to package up for visitors. The path is steady rather than brutal, and walkers who appreciate the Lake District on foot - not those after quick car-park views - will get the most from it. Families with older kids who don't mind a proper walk will find it satisfying too. Just don't expect anyone to sell you a ice cream when you arrive.

Heading out from Kendal's caravan parks - The Ashes is nearest at just over two miles - Hood Tarn works well as a half-day expedition. Allow three hours total with a break up top. Spring and autumn tend to be best; summer can get warm on the exposed sections, and winter paths need respecting. It's the sort of place that repays a visit when you're actually in the Kendal area for a park stay, rather than something you'd drive across the country to see.