THOSE WERE THE DAYS...

Waterside ambles, forest encounters and a spot of nostalgic reminiscing make a great way to spend a week in the Lakes, Susan Taylor discovers

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In my 20s, I thought nothing of strapping a tiny tent to the back of my boyfriend's motorbike and heading off to the Lake District for the weekend, especially as I only lived 90 minutes away from Windermere. Along with a group of friends, we would spend our days hiking in the fells, perhaps climbing Helvellyn or the Lion and the Lamb, and our evenings sitting outside our tents chatting and telling stories.

These days, I prefer more home comforts than a sleeping bag on the floor of an old ridge tent, and my walks tend to involve fewer mountains.

Hawkshead connections

This is why recently, having decided another visit to the Lake District was now in order, we booked a pitch at Hawkshead Hall Campsite, a short stroll from Hawkshead village.

And with our onboard fridge packed full of provisions, fresh sheets on the bed and our comfortable camping chairs at the ready, we were all set for an enjoyable few days' exploring - grownup style.

The village of Hawkshead, with its cobbled streets and pretty cottages, lies in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Famous for its literary connections to William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, it attracts its fair share of visitors, but this doesn't spoil its charm and even at the height of summer, we always find somewhere to walk away from the crowds.

But those walks could wait for tomorrow. Tired after our journey from Buckinghamshire, we spent our first afternoon ambling around the few shops in the village, calling into the school where a certain Master Wordsworth carved his name into a desktop, and enjoying a pint of real ale in the beer garden of The Red Lion Inn - sunshine here can be a rare thing and should be savoured! Later, back at the site, we tucked into a curry brought from home.