Windermere
Windermere is England's largest natural lake at 10.5 miles long and a mile wide, and there are buses, boats and trains to make sure you don't miss a thing. You can take a cruise from Bowness to Ambleside or to Lakeside where you can visit the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.

Lancaster
Medieval Lancaster Castle was the prison where the Pendle Witches were tried and sentenced to death. There are tropical birds and a butterfly house at Williamson Park, and eagles, hawks and owls at Leighton Hall Falconry in neighbouring Carnforth.

Morecambe
With its sweeping five-mile promenade, this traditional seaside town is famous for amazing views of Morecambe Bay and abundant birdlife, celebrated around the town by TERN Project bird sculptures. The comedian Eric Morecambe was himself a keen birdwatcher and his statue takes pride of place on the seafront.

Whitehaven - an 'England Gem Town'
Mining in Whitehaven began in the 13th century. The full story is told at the Beacon and Haig Colliery Mining Museum. The town's picture-postcard harbour dates back to 1633 and you need to visit the Rum Story to savour the 'Dark Spirit of Whitehaven'.

Barrow-in-Furness
This small hamlet became the world leader in iron and steel and a major shipbuilding centre, and the story is told in the spectacular Dock Museum. You'll find a stroll around the 700- year-old site of Furness Abbey as fascinating as it is relaxing.

Ulverston
Stan Laurel was a son of Ulverston, born here on 16 June 1890, and the Laurel and Hardy Museum is another fine attraction you can get yourself into. As well as screening their films, the museum shows an impressive collection of memorabilia. Ulverston's other claim to fame is as Cumbria's Festival Town, with a calendar of events throughout the year. Conishead Priory, a splendid gothic Victorian mansion, is now an international Buddhist Centre and Temple and you can also visit Swarthmoor Hall, recognised as the birthplace of Quakerism.

Kendal
Few places can boast two castles, but Kendal can. You can see the bailey and motte of Castle Howe, built around 1092, as well as 12th century Kendal Castle's earthworks. Little may remain of Kendal Castle, but the ruins are still impressive, as are the views. There are re-creations of the castle in Kendal Museum and the museum tells the story of its people as well as the building. Another re-creation can be found in the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology - that of the office of Alfred Wainwright, author of the handdrawn and hand-written Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. At Abbot Hall you can enjoy one of the country's finest small art galleries and the Museum of Lakeland Life is also there.

Ravenglass
Once an important Roman naval base, Ravenglass is the Lake District National Park's only coastal village. The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - or 'La'al Ratty' as it is affectionately known - was opened in 1875 to bring ore to Ravenglass. It now takes visitors on a steam-hauled journey from Ravenglass to Dalegarth, calling at Muncaster Mill, Irton Road, The Green and Beckfoot. The illustrated Wainwright guide of ten 'Walks from Ratty' is available from Ravenglass station.