Tarnhouse Tarn

The walk to Tarnhouse Tarn, near Milnthorpe, takes you up through proper Lakeland fell country - steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs, but nothing that needs scrambling experience. The tarn itself sits at a decent height with views across open moorland, and the water's surprisingly clear on a decent day. It's a solid two-to-three-hour round trip depending on your pace and fitness.

This is one for walkers rather than casual strollers. Families with teenagers will manage fine if they're used to hills, but younger kids might find the ascent tedious without real summit views to aim for. The tarn doesn't offer much in the way of facilities - no cafe, no visitor centre, just the landscape. That's partly its appeal: you get a sense of doing something proper rather than ticking off a tourist box.

The best time to visit is spring through autumn when the ground's less waterlogged and visibility decent. The area works well if you're basing yourself at one of the caravan parks nearby - Little Acre Holiday Park or Once Upon a Fell are close enough for a morning or afternoon outing. From Milnthorpe itself it's a straightforward drive to the trailhead.

Worth the effort? Yes, if you're actually into walking and don't need a visitor experience built around you. The tarn's modest but genuine, and the moorland setting beats a thousand manicured attractions. Just come prepared for changeable weather and don't expect anything besides the view and the walk.