Lake District Escape

Castlerigg is a Neolithic stone circle on a prominent hill east of Keswick, in the Lake District National Park. English Heritage calls it one of the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles. The stones are glacial boulders of volcanic rock, set in a flattened ring with an unusual rectangle of extra stones inside it.

Tip: Parking at the site is limited. Walking from the centre of Keswick takes about 30 minutes, so consider that or public transport.

The Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick tells the story of the pencil, from its beginnings as a cottage industry to modern production. You enter through a replica graphite mine, a nod to the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago, then follow the journey of graphite and pencil discovery.

Tip: The car park outside isn't owned or run by the museum, uses ANPR cameras and needs payment on arrival, so check the car park notices.

Dove Cottage is the whitewashed Lakeland house on the edge of Grasmere where William Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy. It is a Grade I listed building that remains largely unchanged from Wordsworth's day. Visits begin with an introductory tour led by a member of the team, taking you through rooms with slate floors and oak panelling.

Tip: Entry to the cottage is at timed slots, so book ahead online to secure your tour.

Carlisle Castle guarded the western end of the Anglo-Scottish border for hundreds of years and survived seven sieges by the Scots between 1174 and 1461. It was later adapted for artillery, and in 1568 it held Mary Queen of Scots prisoner. It stayed in military use well into the 20th century.

Tip: Booking advance tickets online saves 15%, and arriving by bus, train or bike gets you 20% off entry at the site on the day.

The Bowder Stone is a huge andesite lava boulder in Borrowdale, balanced on its side after falling from the crag above thousands of years ago. It stands about 30 feet high and is thought to weigh around 2,000 tons. Today the National Trust cares for it.

Tip: There is a National Trust car park at Bowderstone (CA12 5XA) about a 15-minute walk from the stone. Check the National Trust Borrowdale page for current parking details before you go.

Brougham Castle is a red-sandstone castle standing near the site of a Roman fort, guarding a river crossing south-east of Penrith. It was founded in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont, and his great keep still dominates the site. The powerful Clifford family later added more buildings, including an unusual double gatehouse and the Tower of League.

Tip: Head up the spiral stairs to the top of the keep for panoramic views over the Eden Valley.

Lowther Castle is a ruined country house near Penrith, built in the early 19th century and left as a dramatic shell after the roof was removed and the building demolished in the 1950s. You can explore the ruins, then wander the 130 acres of gardens, which include the Parterre, the Garden-in-the-Ruins, the Rose Garden, wildflower meadows and rambling woodland.

Tip: Walk out to the Western Terrace for a spectacular view over the Lowther Valley to the Lake District mountains, and dress for all weathers.

Wray Castle is a Victorian neo-gothic building on the west shore of Windermere, looked after by the National Trust. The parkland has waymarked trails that start at the front of the castle, and the lakeshore has a shingle beach with easy access to the water.

Tip: You can arrive without a car: the Windermere Lake Cruises Green Cruise calls at Wray jetty from Ambleside, and it is a short walk up to the castle and café.