It may just be a rock slab jutting out of a pretty lake, but Friars Crag, overlooking Derwentwater in Keswick in the north of the Lake District, offers one of the best views in Britain.
From here opens up a panorama of mountains, forests, islands and water, facing the ‘Sharks of Borrowdale’, where the River Derwent flows through a gorge. Over the years it has inspired missionaries, artists such as Turner and Constable, writers and poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge.
Beneath the cliff pines are memorials to both local vicar Hardwicke Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trust, and the writer John Ruskin, who lived near Coniston Water. Ruskin believed that no other panorama in Europe could match it.
A ten-minute walk takes you to the winding pedestrian streets of the market town of Keswick, said to be home to the largest concentration of outdoor shops in Britain.
Quiet spot: Simon Heptinstall says Friars Crag in Keswick (pictured) offers ‘one of the best views in Britain’
Well-travelled writer John Ruskin believed no other view in Europe could match what Friars Crag has to offer, reveals Simon
It is an authentic hiking headquarters. No wonder with so many wonderful peaks rising all around, including the much-loved Catbells (1,500ft) just across Derwentwater – moderately challenging, but exciting.
Then there is the famous Keswick Pencil Museum. This celebrates one of the best sources of graphite in the world, which is located in the nearby hills.
Also in town is the highly rated Theater By The Lake, not far from Friars Crag. Its president is Judi Dench, no less. Around Keswick’s prominent main square (where the markets are held) are outdoor shops, pubs, bookstores and restaurants, and the Moot Hall in the center houses the tourist information office under a tower of clock.
From here you can climb paths leading to Castlerigg Stone Circle, on a plateau surrounded by slopes (three miles, mostly up), and take a lakeside walk to Lingholm (two miles, mostly flat) .
The view over Keswick and Derwentwater: both ‘worth a visit’
Castlerigg’s spectacular Neolithic stone circle is not far from Keswick
In the latter, it is a pleasure to stop at Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden, which inspired Beatrix Potter’s Mr McGregor’s Garden. Enjoy Cumberland sausages or luxurious cream teas with prosecco.
Opposite Friars Crag lies the island of St Herbert, where an influential hermit missionary of that name once lived, visited by early Celtic saints such as Cuthbert.
Derwentwater and Keswick are no longer those hideaways, but they are well worth a visit.
Where to stay: Doubles from £130 B&B at Inn On The Square, which has stylish Nordic design, a stylish cocktail bar and rooms with splendid hill views (innonthesquare.co.uk). For more information, see visitlakedistrict.com.