Rydal Water

Rydal Water is one of the smallest of the Lake District's lakes, just over a kilometre long, lying between Ambleside and Grasmere in the valley of the Rothay. It is a gentle, reedy lake with small wooded islands, overlooked by the slopes of Nab Scar and Loughrigg Fell, and it has close connections with Wordsworth. The hamlet of Rydal itself is tiny, with Rydal Hall and its gardens and St Mary's Church, which Wordsworth attended.

Wordsworth lived from 1813 until his death in 1850 at Rydal Mount, the house above the hamlet of Rydal at the eastern end of the lake, which is open to visitors along with its gardens. Below it, Dora's Field, which he planted with daffodils, is owned by the National Trust. The old Coffin Route, a path along the fellside between Rydal and Grasmere once used to carry the dead for burial, makes a lovely walk.

On the southern side of the lake, a path climbs to Rydal Cave, a huge old slate quarry cavern with a pool at its mouth, popular with families. The circuit of Rydal Water and Grasmere, taking in Loughrigg Terrace, is one of the best short walks in the Lakes. Spring is the time for Dora's Field and its daffodils, and autumn colour on the fellsides is superb.

The A591 runs right along the northern shore, so the lake is never quite silent. Parking at White Moss and Pelter Bridge is limited and fills early. Come by bus and walk.