The Lake District

At 978m, England's highest mountain features on every self-respecting hiker's bucket list. The classic route starts from Wasdale Head; it's hard going but within the reach of most moderately fit walkers, although it's steep and hard to navigate in bad weather. It's a return trip of around six to seven hours.

Two miles south of Hawkshead, in the tiny village of Near Sawrey, this idyllic farmhouse was purchased in 1905 by Beatrix Potter and was used as inspiration for many of her tales: the house features directly in Samuel Whiskers, Tom Kitten, Pigling Bland and Jemima Puddle-Duck, among others, and you might recognise the kitchen garden from Peter Rabbit. Entry is by timed ticket in order to manage demand, but you can't prebook, and it's very popular, so prepare to queue.

Built in 1859 and restored in the 1980s by the National Trust, this wonderful steam yacht looks like a cross between a Venetian vaporetto and an English houseboat, complete with cushioned saloons and polished wood seats. It's a stately way to see the lake, especially if you're visiting Brantwood, and it's ecofriendly – since 2008 it's been powered by waste wood.

The forest has nine walking trails and seven cycling trails to explore – some are easy and designed for families, while others are geared towards hardcore hikers and cyclists. Along the way you'll spot more than 40 outdoor sculptures hidden in the undergrowth, created by artists since 1977 (there's a useful online guide at www.grizedalesculpture.org).

This old slate mine has been reinvented as a centre for all kinds of activities: you could venture underground into the bowels of the old 'Edge' and 'Kimberley' mines, tackle a via ferrata, or climb inside the mine along a system of fixed cables, tracing the route followed by the slate miners. A tour into the 'Cathedral' mine runs on Friday by request, but you'll need eight people and it costs £25 per person.

On the edge of Grasmere, this tiny, creeper-clad cottage (formerly a pub called the Dove & Olive Bough) was famously inhabited by William Wordsworth between 1799 and 1808. The cottage's cramped rooms are full of artefacts – try to spot the poet's passport, a pair of his spectacles and a portrait (given to him by Sir Walter Scott) of his favourite dog, Pepper. Entry is by timed ticket to avoid overcrowding and includes an informative guided tour.

• Start Keswick
• End Keswick
• Length 28 miles; three to four hours

This is one of the Lakes' most beautiful road trips, taking in the unspoilt scenery of the Borrowdale, Buttermere and Lorton Valleys. It's a perfect day trip out of Keswick.

Begin with breakfast in Keswick, then head along the B5289 into Borrowdale. First stop is Lodore Falls, a pretty cascade at the southern end of Derwentwater. Next, detour to the little hamlet of Grange-in-Borrowdale, where a trail leads up the slate-strewn sides of Castle Crag, a small fell with great views over Borrowdale.

From Grange carry on to the huge boulder known as the Bowder Stone, shifted into position by the long-gone glacier that carved out the Borrowdale Valley. Pootle on to Rosthwaite for tea and cake at the Flock In Tea-Room, or continue to Seatoller for lunch.

In the afternoon tackle the steep crawl up to Honister Pass, where you can pick up some slate souvenirs, take a tour into the depths of the old slate mine or venture out onto the hair-raising via ferrata.

From here the road drops down into the beautiful valley of Buttermere. Spot the zigzag peaks of High Stile, Haystacks and Red Pike looming on your left-hand side over the lake, stop off for a drink at the Fish Inn and remember to pay your respects to hiker and author Alfred Wainwright inside St James' Church.

Continue along the shore of Crummock Water past Loweswater, where you could make an optional but very worthwhile detour via the excellent Kirkstile Inn. When you reach Low Lorton, a right-hand turn carries you over Whinlatter Pass to Whinlatter Forest Park. The park makes a good spot for a late-afternoon stop. There's a pleasant cafe at the visitor centre, as well as informative displays on the local wildlife – look out for red squirrels frolicking in the treetops.

There are a couple of great options for dinner on your way back to Keswick, such as the Cottage in the Wood just before Braithwaite, or the traditional Pheasant Inn on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake.

Along with Scafell Pike, this challenging hike is the one everyone wants to do. The classic ascent takes in the twin ridges of Striding and Swirral Edge, which are spectacular but very exposed and involve some scrambling and dizzyingly steep drops on either side – if you're at all nervous of heights, Helvellyn is not the fell for you.

Two miles off the B5285 from Hawkshead, a winding country lane leads to this famously photogenic artificial lake, now owned by the National Trust. Trails wind their way around the lakeshore and surrounding woodland – keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels in the treetops.