Penrith

Red sandstone buildings line the main streets where the Romans once marched through on their way north. Penrith sits at the crossroads of two worlds - the gentle Eden Valley rolling away east, and the dramatic Lake District fells rising just to the south. It's proper border country here, with Scotland less than an hour away.

Penrith Castle's pink ruins dominate the town centre, while the Tuesday market still draws farmers from across Cumbria. The town feels lived-in rather than touristy - locals still outnumber visitors in the pubs and cafes. That changes come summer when walkers use it as a jumping-off point for the northern lakes.

Great Mell Fell offers the perfect introduction to Lakeland walking - a modest climb with views that punch well above its 537-metre height. More ambitious hikers head for the Roman Camp archaeological site or tackle the ridge walk over Common Fell and Cockley Moor. Lucy's Wood provides gentler rambling when the weather turns.

Ullswater lies just twenty minutes south, while the market town of Penrith makes a decent base for exploring both the Lakes and the Eden Valley. The M6 runs right past - handy for getting here but you'll forget about motorways once you're walking the fells. Staying at one of the nearby parks means you can nip into town for supplies then escape to proper wilderness within minutes.