Tewet Tarn

Drive up towards Helvellyn from Keswick and you'll stumble upon Tewet Tarn, a proper little mountain lake that catches most walkers by surprise. It sits tucked away in the fells, and the water's the sort of clear blue that makes you wish you'd brought a camera that could actually do it justice.

This is walker territory, no question. The tarn rewards people who've put in the leg work to get up here - it's not some roadside spot you can tick off in fifteen minutes. The approach from Keswick takes a fair bit of effort, which means the crowds thin out considerably once you've climbed beyond the lower paths. That's precisely why it's worth the slog.

On a clear day, the reflections are genuinely stunning. You get a real sense of why the Lake District pulls people back year after year. The surrounding fells rise up around you, and if the light's right, the whole scene feels almost otherworldly. Bring proper walking boots though - the ground gets boggy and the paths can be slippery, especially after rain.

If you're based at Troutbeck Head Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just five miles away, this makes a cracking half-day walk. Budget a good three to four hours return, depending on your pace and how long you linger. It's free to access, which is always nice. Go midweek if you can - weekends and school holidays bring out every fell-walker in Cumbria, and that rather defeats the purpose.