The trees at the southern tip of Buttermere, known as The Sentinels, are said to be the most photographed in the country. Crummock Water is fed by Scale Force, the highest falls in the Lake District, and has a pretty pebbly beach at its northern tip which is a great place for a picnic and a swim in the summer. Nearby is the Bridge Inn where you can sip a pint of Bridge Inn Blonde while gazing admiringly at the mountains. There are some easy walks around Buttermere, or around Cinderdale Common at Crummock, but for something a little more challenging, head to Rannerdale Knotts, Red Pike or Haystacks. The valley is thought to be where Norman warriors were defeated in battle – and the bluebells which bloom there every spring are said to grow from their blood. I’m not sure how something so lovely can come from such a gory legend!