St Wilfrid Chapel

The chapel sits alone on a fell above Penrith, which is rather the point. St Wilfrid's is tiny - you could fit a couple of dozen people inside if they didn't mind getting cosy - and built from local stone in that no-nonsense way Cumbrian churches manage. The interior is sparse, honest. A few pews, altar, window light falling across stone that's been there since the 1600s. What strikes you isn't grandeur but simplicity, and the views out across the Eden Valley from the approach are genuinely tremendous.

Walkers get the most from this one. It's not a destination by itself - you're looking at twenty minutes inside, tops - but it makes an excellent waypoint on a fell walk from Penrith. The location demands effort to reach, which filters out the casual drive-by crowd. You'll want proper boots and at least an hour to make the walk worthwhile both directions. The fell around it rolls on for miles, so you can easily extend into a proper morning or afternoon ramble.

If you're staying at Howdy Glamping nearby, this works as a gentle cultural punctuation to a walking-focused break. Clear weather is essential - on a grey day the chapel feels rather isolated, which some find atmospheric and others find depressing. Go on a decent day when you can actually see the valley stretching away beyond. Free to visit, no facilities, bring water.