Lake District

England's highest ground at 978m. The Wasdale Head route is shortest and the hardest to drive to; the Corridor Route from Seathwaite is longer and better. Cloud sits on the summit most days, so carry a map and compass and know how to use them.

The deepest lake in England at 74m, under the screes, with Scafell at the head of it. A long drive in and nothing at the end but the view, a campsite and a pub.

The longest lake in England, 10.5 miles or 17km. From Bowness the 45-minute Islands circuit starts around £14.80 and the 75-minute run up to Ambleside around £19.20.

Beatrix Potter's farmhouse, left as she arranged it. £17 adult, house and garden 10.00-17.00. If you are arriving by car you must book in advance: the car park is tiny, two hours maximum, and shuts at 17.30. Arrive on foot or by boat and bus and you do not need to.

A working slate mine at the top of Honister Pass. Mine tours from £25 and an hour and a half; the Via Ferrata Classic from £55, three hours, minimum age ten. Book ahead, and the pass road is steep in both directions.

West Coast Main Line trains from London Euston call at Oxenholme Lake District and Penrith. Change at Oxenholme for the short branch line into Windermere, the only station inside the park.

The Stagecoach 555 runs Kendal-Windermere-Ambleside-Grasmere-Keswick, and the 599 open-topper covers Bowness to Grasmere. Car parks at Wasdale, Buttermere and every roadside honeypot are full by nine on a fine day.

Windermere Lake Cruises link Bowness, Ambleside (Waterhead) and Lakeside year-round, and drop you at the start or end of a walk rather than back where you parked.

Late May to early July and again in September: the driest fell conditions and light until nearly ten at night.

November to March, Christmas week aside. Cheap, dark by four, and the tops need winter skills and an ice axe.

The school summer holidays and every sunny bank holiday, when the A591 and every car park lock solid.

First boat out of Bowness up the lake to Ambleside, which beats the road and the car park.

Walk from Ambleside to Rydal and on to Grasmere along the coffin road, about four miles.

Grasmere village: a pub lunch and a slab of the gingerbread they have made there since 1854.

Allan Bank above the village, £9 adult and open 10.00-16.00, then back down for the 555 bus.

Dinner in Ambleside and a pint of Cumbrian ale. Kitchens in the villages stop early, so do not dawdle.

The northern base: a launch that circles the lake with seven landing stages, Castlerigg stone circle above the town, and Catbells for the easiest big view in the park.

The second-longest lake, with steamers running Glenridding to Howtown and the seven-mile shoreline walk back. Aira Force waterfall is at the northern end.