The Lake District may be famous – and named after – its wonderful lakes, but there’s much more. It’s also packed with fantastic places to explore, so we’ve put together our ‘greatest hits’ – the best places to go in this dramatic part of the UK.

AMBLESIDE

Ambleside is a small town at the northern end of Windermere, surrounded by stunning scenery.

Visitors can take a cruise on the lake and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

For those who enjoy hiking, Ambleside is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding fells and trails. The town is located near some of the most popular hiking routes in the Lake District, including the Fairfield Horseshoe and the Langdale Pikes.

Quiz Answers: 1. Gordon Goodnanny; 2. Windermere and Ullswater; 3. Walking; 4. Scafell Pyke; 5. Windermere; 6. “I wandered lonely as a cloud”; 7. Mint Cake; 8. Cumbria; 9. Laurel & Hardy; 10. Hadrian’s Wall; 11. Tarn; 12. Sausage; 13. 300 billion; 14. Pencil; 15. 2017; 16. One (Bassenthwaite Lake); 17. Highswater; 18. Mountains; 19. Rainfall in 24 hours; 20. Arthur Ransome

KESWICK

The town of Keswick is situated between the mountain of Skiddaw and Derwentwater, one of the prettiest of the Lakes. It’s a lovely place to base yourself for exploring the rest of the National Park.

It’s also perfectly positioned for walkers; to its west rise the fells of Cat Bells, and to the east is the Friar’s Crag which provides a great view over the town and lake.

The town itself is a lovely place to explore. There’s a regular market in the centre of town and several wonderful pubs. Check out the award-winning Wainwright pub, named after the writer of several popular Lake District walking books.

THE LANGDALE PIKES

The Langdale Pikes is a small mountain range located in heart of the Lake District National Park. It is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, known for its stunning scenery and challenging trails.

The range is made up of several peaks, with some glorious names, including Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag, and Pavey Ark.

Hikers can take several different routes to reach the Langdale Pikes, with varying degrees of difficulty. The most popular route starts in the small village of Chapel Stile and takes hikers up to the summit of Harrison Stickle. This route is challenging but rewarding, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The Langdale Pikes are also popular with climbers, who come to tackle the challenging rock faces and crags. The range has several classic climbing routes, including Jack’s Rake, which is a narrow scramble up the face of Pavey Ark.

The area is home to a number of charming villages – such as the less imaginatively named Great Langdon and Little Langdon – and pubs, where visitors can relax and enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality.

BORROWDALE

To the south of Derwentwater lies the small Borrowdale valley, regularly voted the prettiest place in the Lakes.

The Derwent River flows north through the flat-bottomed valley, surrounded on both sides by steep fells, and empties into Derwentwater at the, again, wonderfully named Jaws of Borrowdale.

Borrowdale has one other, less welcome, claim to fame: it’s one of the wettest places in England, once receiving a record 13 inches of rain in 24 hours. So if you’re lucky enough to go, bring a raincoat…

HELVELLYN

Helvellyn is a towering mountain peak in the Lake District, and is a favourite among hikers and climbers alike. It’s not for the fainthearted, though.

The Helvellyn Horseshoe, which is one of the most popular walking routes, is a geological wonder that spans two different eras. The first was marked by volcanic activity, which left behind a bowl-shaped depression in the rock.

The second era was characterized by the movement of glaciers, which carved out the ridge known as Striding Edge, giving the Horseshoe its unique shape.

The Helvellyn Horseshoe is a challenging hike that requires a certain level of skill and experience but the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys make the effort well worth it.

BEATRIX POTTER’S HILL TOP

The children’s author Beatrix Potter was based in the Lakes, and wrote all her books there. After her massive success with the Tales of Peter Rabbit she purchased a 17th century farmhouse at Hill Top near Ambleside. She worked here until the end of her life, leaving the property to the National Trust, to be opened to visitors with the stipulation that it be left just as she had lived in it.

Many of her books were based in, or at least inspired by, the house and so you can see many references to the books still around. There’s the Dolls House, home to “The Tale of Two Bad Mice”, while the garden features in many of her works.

Hill Top is another great place to visit, especially with any young children.

It’s very popular and the Trust operates a booking system at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/hill-top We have dedicated this month’s ‘Great British Historical Figures’ feature to Beatrix Potter due to her connection to the Lake District.

HAWKSHEAD

One of the many lovely villages nestled in the fells of the Lakes. Its cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages make this one of the most popular tourist spots in the area, especially as it is conveniently located between Windermere and Coniston Water.

It’s a good escape from the many carclogged streets of the area, especially in summer, as it’s a car-free village.

Hawkshead has a strong connection to Beatrix Potter, who lived here before buying Hill Top cottage. Her husband, solicitor William Heelis, had an office in the village, which has been turned into the Beatrix Potter Gallery.

GRASMERE

North of Hawkshead lies another village with a strong literary heritage: Grasmere.

In 1799 a certain William Wordsworth, one of the great English Romantic poets, moved to Dove Cottage. He and his wife, Dorothy, fell in love with the place calling it “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”

Dove Cottage is now open to the public, and it and Grasmere’s namesake lake, are some of the most popular spots in the Lakes.

Perhaps you could go and see where Wordsworth ”…wandered lonely as a cloud”, spying “a host of golden daffodils… dancing in the breeze”.