The traditional Lake District village of Threlkeld nestles at the foot of Blencathra – so you can make this a car-free weekend.

The Lake District National Park, in England’s north-west, has inspired countless poets, authors and artists, hillwalkers, nature lovers and day trippers. With its rugged peaks, green valleys, seemingl

Ascent 903m/2960ft 12.3km / 7.6 miles / 4 hours

14.5km / 9 miles / 5-5.5 hours Ascent 777m/2550ft

Vivienne Crow was staying at Newfield Hall as a guest of HF Holidays, which organises walking holidays in the Yorkshire Dales and other UK and European destinations. Self-guided, three-night breaks at

It’s been a long mile, trudging uphill in the rain, across uninspiring fields, past rickety ruins of long-abandoned farm buildings, mud slowly working its way up my waterproof trousers. Sometimes walk