Milnthorpe

Twenty minutes from Kendal by car, this market town sits in limestone country where old quarrying has left its mark on the landscape. The surrounding hills tell stories of industrial heritage - Peter Lane Lime Kiln and Leighton House Lime Kiln are reminders of when this area buzzed with limestone burning. These days it's properly quiet.

Walking is the main draw here. Milnthorpe Hill offers decent views without too much effort, while the more ambitious can tackle Woodhouse Hill or Cringlebarrow Hill for longer rambles. The countryside rolls away in all directions, a patchwork of fields and woodland. Whinscar Plantation and Deepdale Wood provide shady walks when the weather's warm.

Milnthorpe itself won't keep you busy for long - it's a functional sort of place rather than a tourist destination. But that's partly its appeal. You get proper Lake District countryside without the crowds that descend on Windermere or Keswick. The limestone peaks like Hanging Hill and Haverbrack Bank make for satisfying day walks, and you'll likely have the paths largely to yourself.

From the M6, it's junction 36 then a short drive west. Kendal is your nearest proper town for supplies and dining options. The railway line runs close by too, making it accessible without a car if you don't mind a bit of planning.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense if you want to explore this corner of Westmorland properly. You're well placed for both the southern Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales, with Morecambe Bay just a short drive east. It's countryside camping at its most straightforward.