The best place to start would probably be Museum Of Lakeland Life in Kendal. It shows how our Cumbrian ancestors worked, lived and entertained themselves in the changing social climate of the past 200 years. Head over to Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre; this multi-purpose arts complex presents a year-round programme of theatre, music, films, lectures and exhibitions, together with a range of amateur participatory activities including art and craft workshops, Cumbria Youth Theatre, and classes.

Just outside Kendal is the National Trust's imposing medieval Sizergh Castle, with its beautiful limestone rock gardens which you can walk around. Nearby is Levens Hall, this magnificent Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th Century. The Grade I listed garden, dating from 1694 has survived well and the topiary is some of the oldest in the world and justifiably famous.

Kirkby Lonsdale is a historic market town in Cumbria and the pleasant drive is only thirteen miles south-east from Kendal along the A65. The town is a great tourist attraction with an excellent range of small speciality shops and many of the shops are in listed buildings which offer arts and crafts, plus there's a weekly market with lots of local produce to buy. There's also attractive 17th and 18th century inns and a fine Norman church. Admire the wonderful scenery from Ruskin's View. Spanning the River Lune is the 14th century Devil's Bridge with its graceful arches, steeped in legend.

Full circle brings you back to Kendal. If the weather is fine, why not take an early evening stroll upto Kendal Castle, probably late 12th Century, is now a ruin, but worth exploring. From here you can get brilliant views over the town and watch the sun go down over the Lakeland Fells.