Looking ahead...

The Cragg Hawkshead, Lake District Across Windermere on the western shores is the area where Beatrix Potter settled and began farming back in 1905 when she bought Hill Top and its 34-acre working farm as her home away from London and her artistic retreat. The Cragg is a Grade II- listed character farmhouse dating back to 1695. It’s a big place, with a large slate-floored kitchen, lots of beams, latched doors and window seats to gaze over the pretty garden. This is an area of gentle walks rather than your big fell classics: head down to Esthwaite Water, or an old favourite, Claife Heights, which follows a lovely woodland way up to High Blind How with views over Windermere and several small tarns. In summer, this can be a busy area, but out of season it is wonderfully peaceful. • Sleeps 8, from £586 a week, heartofthelakes.co.uk