The Lake District is home to some of England’s most beautiful scenery and, with limited beach opportunities and often unruly weather conditions, it belongs more to the old school category of holiday destinations. But do not let the English weather put you off, for the Lake District has a lot to offer the holidaymaker.

With no large towns to speak of, phone reception very much limited and roads that seem to attract more sheep than cars, this is a place where things move slowly, where respite from the hectic norm can be found and where you can literally drop out of contact with the outside world.

Besides the at times staggering scenery, walks are the Lakes’ main attraction. Whether you just fancy a lakeside amble or you wish to tackle one of the main peaks, there will be something to suit your needs and desires. During our one-week stay we did the popular Haystacks walk from Buttermere village up Haystacks passing two tarns and the resting place of author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright before walking down the rocky path back to the village. Ard Crags isn’t as difficult as its name suggests and also comes recommended.

Whilst the views that accompany the hill climbing semi-justify the walking it involves, I have to say I am more of a ‘lakes’ person when it comes to holidays in the Lake District. Unfortunately the weather was somewhat English for our holiday this year meaning sitting by a lake reading could not pass as the daily activity. We did get a couple of ‘lake sitting’ days in: the first at Loweswater where we hired a boat from the National Trust and rowed halfway across the lake to one of its bays. Less visited and thus quieter than most of the other lakes, Loweswater is possibly my favourite. Our other lake of choice was Crummock Water. This lake lies adjacent to Loweswater and boasts stunning scenery and a happily placed peninsula halfway down the Western side. The peninsula was our chosen spot and members of our group reached it from three different directions: one lot walking from Buttermere, one lot walking from the car park at the North of Crummock Water, and us, rowing from the southern most tip in what felt like gale force head winds (aching muscles and blisters abounded once our epic one hour boat trip was over).

The lakes of course offer more than just sitting beside them and admiring their view. Derwent Water has a marina where boats of all kinds can be hired, from canoes to kayaks to rowing boats to sailing boats. The other big lakes, including Ullswater, offer similar services. We took a sailing boat on Derwent Water and had a jolly time tacking and leaning and pretending we were pirates.

Finally, once the hills have been mastered, and the scenery has been taken in, you can head to one of the Lakes’ small towns to stock up on walking gear (we found waterproof trousers to be a fabulous investment!), buy some hand cream for those rowing induced blisters or simply enjoy a nice pint in one of the local pubs. Keswick is always full of holidaymakers but is a great little town to wander around and Cockermouth has an excellent cake shop by the name of Beatfords.

The Lake District is my family’s favourite holiday destination and, whilst I am partial to a bit of sun and less hill climbing, the peacefulness that abounds in the Lakes combined with the non-hiking activities on offer mean that I continue to travel there with my family, come rain or shine, year in and year out.