Head south down Borrowdale and you'll notice the valley growing narrower and narrower until the road hits the little village of Stonethwaite and simply gives up. From here a stony track heads bravely on a further half-mile to the campsite before it too is defeated - here the valley closes up completely and only footpaths prevail.

Its location, right at the head of Borrowdale, gives the National Trust's Stonethwaite campsite a real pioneering feel. It's stretched along several hundred metres of Stonethwaite Beck, the sort of wide, shallow river beloved ot gold prospectors (though there's none here, we're sorry to report, so leave your pan and sieve at home and bring a toy sailing boat instead). This means that if you camp at the very far end it is a bit of a yomp to the loos. And there are no showers but, hey, there's a river.

For the energetic who enjoy leaping from stone to stone up steep bills and over high fells there are footpaths aplenty - bring a good map and work out a circular walk. Or, if that sounds like hard work, there's an entirely flat half-mile amble down to the cosy Langstrath Country Inn.

COOL FACTOR There's a river and some mountains and not much else.

WHO'S IN? Everyone, except for groups.



ON SITE An indeterminate number of pitches on this sprawling site. A stone-built no-frills loo and washing-up sink (with a shelter) outside comprise facilities. No campfires.

OFF SITE The Cumbria Way (www.thecumbriaway.info) slides by on the other side of the Stonethwaite Beck and is reached by a convenient bridge just to the south. Or you can go underground at Honister Slate Mine (01768 777230; www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk) and look at some slate.

FOOD AND DRINK The Langstrath Country Inn (01768 777239) in Stonethwaite boasts a range of local cask ales, large stock of wines and whiskies, and some excellent dishes (including veggie and vegan options). There's a lovely cheese delicatessen in Keswick called The Cheese Delicatessen.

GETTING THERE From Keswick, follow signs for the B5289. After 7 miles turn left into Stonethwaite village. At the end of the village a track leads to the campsite.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Bus no. 79 (aka the Borrowdale Rambler) runs from Keswick to Stonethwaite (10 mins away).

OPEN All year.

THE DAMAGE Adult £5 per night; child £3, under-5s free.