Alston - An enchanting and little known old town set in the heart of the Pennines, near the sources of the Tyne and Tees. Cobbled streets and traditional shops. It has an arts and crafts gallery and a narrow gauge steam railway.

Ambleside - On the north shore of Windermere. A favourite centre for the Lakes, with plenty of good hotel accommodation. Attractions nearby include Brockhole Park Information Centre and exhibition for the National Park, and the Wordsworth Museum at Grasmere.

Appleby-in-Westmorland - The capital of old County of Westmorland, an ancient town that has played a leading part in border history, having been sacked by the Scots on several occasions. Its fine old castle, standing in woods above the Eden, was once the home of Anne, Countess of Pembroke, whose tomb is in St. Lawrence's Church, an exceptionally interesting building. On the Settle-Carlisle railway line.

Brampton - Some five miles east of Carlisle. Prince Charlie spent a week in this fascinating Border Town on his way south in 1745, and here he received the Mayor and Corporation of Carlisle - when they surrendered to him the Keys of the City. In Gelt Woods is the written Rock of Gelt, a Roman inscription and the site of the Capon Tree on which six of Prince Charlie's followers were hanged. Nearby is Talkin Tarn Country Park - good for watersports. Naworth Castle, a border fortress built in 1330, and Lanercost Priory, (English Heritage founded in 1170, are near.

Broughton-in-Furness - On the west side of the Lakes. A market town overlooking the Duddon estuary with a 14th century Pele tower that has been modernised.

Cockermouth - Small old town on the north western edge of the Lake District, on the rivers Derwent and Cocker. The birthplace of William Wordsworth (National Trust). It possesses a fine ruined castle and a historic inn where Mary, Queen of Scots was entertained.

Coniston - Grey village at Northern end of lake where the Victorian art critic Ruskin lived and was buried. Lake is 5 1/2 miles long and about 1/2 mile broad. It has islands and woods and is under the shadow of Coniston Old Man. Two homes of Ruskin are open, one in the village, another a country house, Brantwood on the east side of Coniston lake.

Egremont - Egremont is a small market town, which has held a market charter since 1267. It has a wide main street, overlooked by the remains of a Norman Castle. Built about 1130, the castle stands on a mound above the River Ehen. The local Lowes Court Gallery exhibits a wide range of paintings, prints and craft work.

There are two sculptures by Colin Telfer commemorating the town’s history of iron ore mining. The nearby Florence Mine Heritage Centre is also well worth a visit.

Grange-over-Sands - Edwardian seaside resort on the southern edge of the Lakes overlooking Morecombe Bay and the estuary of the River Kent. Sheltered from the northern winds this resort is said to have the mildest climate in the north of England. It has a convenient railway station (on the line to Barrow-in-Furness), a long promenade, ornamental gardens, camping and caravanning sites.

Keswick - At the head of Derwentwater, is set in one of the loveliest districts in England. Coleridge and Southey lived here and Southey is buried in St. Kentigern's church. A mile out of the town is the Castlerigg Stone Circle, 33 yards across, with 38 stones, varying from 3 to 8 feet high. Museum on pencil making, one of the local industries.

Kirkby Stephen - In the middle of good river and hill scenery, very small town with cobbled square, coaching and inns, become a favourite centre for tourists. The Bound Devil", a white sandstone shaft rudely carved in the 8th century, is preserved in the ancient church. On the Carlisle Railway.

Maryport - Twenty four miles south west of Carlisle on the Solway Firth. A famous town in the time of the Roman occupation. It has been devoted to shipbuilding and coast trade. The Roman remains collected by the Senhouse family on display in a museum. There is a maritime museum and a steam ship museum.

Millom - Millom is a small, quiet town at the end of a peninsula overlooking the Duddon Sands. The Duddon Valley to the north was immortalized in poetry by the Cumbrian poet William Wordsworth. The peaceful Hodbarrow Nature Reserve is only a walk away and is very popular with ornothologists.

The town takes its name from Millom Castle, a working farm and not open to the public. There is no shortage of other things to see and do in the area. Both the Millom Royal Air Force Museum and the Millom Folk Museum are worth a visit.

The town has the imposing Black Combe fell as a backdrop and, a little nearer, Low Scales where you can find a pair of Stone Circles.

Penrith - Penrith is a bustling market town on the doorstep of the Lake District. Delightful alleyways run between and behind Penrith's main streets, and amongst them you will find the more specialised shops that Penrith has a certain reputation for selling local fudge, Cumberland Sausage, gingerbread and more.

The town’s castle was built around 1400 and its churchyard contain’s the Giant’s Grave, said to be that of the King of Cumbria in 937, a man fifteen feet high. King Richard III later lived here and his portrait can still be seen in the stained glass windows of St. Andrews’s Church.

Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy were at school here and he later lived in the town.

Ravenglass - Ravenglass is a delightful town in the heart of the Lake District. It is most famous for the Narrow Gauge Railway that runs from the town seven miles along the Eskdale Valley to Eskdale itself. Once nearly derelict the line has since been restored and is now supported by the Preservation Society.

Ravenglass was also an important naval base for the Romans in the 2nd century. Little remains of their large fort except for the bath house, now known as Walls Castle.

Also nearby is Muncaster Castle which stands on Roman foundations. It was rebuilt in 1862 by Anthony Salvin. In 1464 Henry VI gave the Pennington family a glass bowl known as the ‘Luck of Muncaster’ declaring that as long as it remained intact the family would live and thrive at Muncaster. The bowl remains, as do the family.

Sellafield nuclear power station is also nearby and has a visitor's centre.

Seascale - Formerly a Victorian resort on the Cumbria coast, Seascale has been taken over by the Sellafield Nuclear power station and reprocessing plant. A Visitors Centre has been made to inform and entertain visitors using computerised technology.

In the mountains behind is the lake Wast Water, and above it Scafell.

Sedbergh - Eight miles east of Kendal, but just in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, close to the M6. Town has an Information Centre for the National Park. Nearby is attractive cobbled Dales village of Dent. Sedbergh is on the Dales Way.A delightful centre for climbing the fells. Possesses a famous Public School.

Ulverston - An ancient market-town at the top of the Furness peninsula, which used to have considerable activity in iron and steel. Swarthmoor Hall, once the headquarters of the Quaker movement in the North of England, was the home of Margaret Fell who married George Fox. Birthplace of Stan Laurel, comedian, celebtrated with museum.

Whitehaven - Whitehaven was once a significant mining town. In the late 18th century it was one of the largest ports in England, shipping coal to Dublin and beyond. Find out more at the Haig Colliery Mining Museum.

Today it is popular with tourists on account of its Georgian architecture and links with America. The recently opened Beacon visitors centre commemorates the town’s diverse history. Whitehaven is a past winner of the Cumbria in Bloom Award.

The Western Lakes have their own interesting history and impressive scenery; the nation’s highest peak and deepest lake are nearby. St Bees Head is a wonderful bird reserve run by the RSPB with hides for visitors.

Wigton - Small market town to the south west of Carlisle. Nearby is Abbeytown where the remaining abbey church has the tomb of the father of Robert the Bruce.

Workington - An industrial centre for shipping, steel, iron and coal on the north Cumbria coast. Port had its steel works using coal from below the sea. In the Old Hall (now dismantled) Mary, Queen of Scots was entertained after her flight from Langside. Museum of Costume and Furniture recalls Victorian times in the town. This is one of the many places where the community turn out to play in an annual football match in the streets. Nearby is Cockermouth where Wordsworth was born.