Monk Coniston

The ruins of Monk Coniston sit quietly in the Cumbrian fells, a remnant of a 12th-century monastic settlement that feels genuinely removed from the Lake District's busier tourist circuits. What you're actually looking at are sparse stone foundations and fragments of what was once a working monastery - nothing restored or prettified, just the bare bones of medieval life scattered across moorland.

It's a walk rather than a destination, really. From Ambleside, the approach takes you through proper fell terrain, climbing steadily through bracken and heather with views opening up across the valley. The ruins themselves are modest - don't expect dramatic arches or soaring walls. What makes it worthwhile is the solitude and the sense of discovery. You're basically alone up there, which is increasingly rare in the Lakes.

Historically minded walkers will get the most from it, particularly those interested in monastic life and how these communities operated in remote upland areas. It's less appealing if you're after dramatic ruins or a quick photo stop. Kids might struggle with the walk itself unless they're properly keen hikers.

If you're based at Skelwith Fold or Low Wray Campsite near Ambleside, Monk Coniston works as a half-day excursion combined with other fell walks in the area. Allow three to four hours total. It's free, obviously - there's nothing there to charge for. Go on a clear day; in mist, the walk becomes frustrating rather than rewarding.