Day Trips from Lake District

A 2,000-year-old frontier that still feels raw. Walk the turf-topped wall from Birdoswald fort west to the dramatic milecastle known as Castle Nick; you'll drop into gaping Roman gateways and look north over empty border hills. The fort museum lays out how soldiers lived on oatmeal and beer, and the tearoom does a rare proper Roman-style lentil stew on request.

A 7-mile miniature line that chugs from the coast through birch woods to the foot of Scafell. Jump off at Dalegarth for a circular walk to the thundering waterfall Eskdale Spout, then hit the 16th-century pub in Boot before the return steam run. Roman bath-house ruins sit right behind the Ravenglass station if you arrive early.

A slow-food crawl around a medieval village that gave Britain its sticky-toffee pudding. Start at Cartmel Village Shop for still-warm Lancashire cheese and onion pies, walk the 12th-century priory, then cycle or drive to Holker Hall's gardens and the micro-brewery in Cark. Finish with a racecourse-edge pint at The Cavendish Arms where trainers swap tips over local gin.

The quiet eastern flank of the Lake District that tourists miss. Park at High Cascades and climb through Atlantic oak woodland to the 65-ft Aira Force waterfall, then contour around Gowbarrow Fell for a full view along Ullswater's glass-calm middle reach. Descend to the steamer pier at Aira Bay and ride the 1885 boat back to Glenridding for tea.

Yes, it's brash, but the rollercoasters and illuminations make a complete contrast to lakeland calm. Hit the 120-year-old wooden Big One before lunch, ride the glass-floor Tower Eye for a 380-ft view over the Irish Sea, and finish with fish & chips on the three-pier walk as lights flick on at dusk.