Most Lake District itineraries funnel everyone towards Windermere, which is exactly why Coniston Water is worth a detour. This long, narrow glacial lake stretches more than five miles through the southern half of the national park, sits in the shadow of the Old Man of Coniston, and plunges to 184 feet at its deepest. Despite being the third-largest lake in the park by volume, it draws a fraction of the crowds you'll find at Windermere and Bowness.

Fishing is the main draw. Once you've sorted an Environment Agency licence, you can cast from the shore, the jetty, or a boat hired from Coniston Boating Centre on the northwest shore. The species list is varied: northern pike, brown trout, common carp, European perch, Atlantic salmon, European eel, and the prized Arctic char, which lurk in the colder, deeper water. Pike anglers should bring medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with a wire trace — those teeth will slice ordinary line. In clear water, realistic lures tend to do the trick.

Non-anglers are well served too. The trail network around the lake spans every ability level. The Monk Coniston loop is an easy 2.8 miles with just 55 feet of climbing, winding through woodland, grassland and lakefront. For something meatier, the Dixon Ground, Haws Bank and Torver Circular covers 8.4 miles and climbs to 1,312 feet, taking at least four and a half hours, with the Banishead Quarry Waterfall as the standout sight. Hardcore hikers can tackle the 15.8-mile Ulverston to Coniston stretch of the 71-mile Cumbria Way, with nearly 1,700 feet of elevation across farmland and open countryside.

Cap the day with a cruise on the Steam Yacht Gondola, a historic vessel that runs on the lake from April to October. Ambleside, with walks, places to eat and Roman ruins, is only about 30 minutes away if you want to extend the trip.

Getting there is easiest by car: Coniston sits roughly an hour's drive from Keswick and about an hour and 15 minutes from Lancaster, and public transport connections are patchy by comparison. If you can't resist ticking off the famous lakes too, Windermere — England's largest — is close enough to combine in one visit, and you'll appreciate Coniston's calm all the more after seeing the difference.

This is a solid pick for anglers, walkers and anyone who wants Lake District scenery without the coach-party crush — best in late spring through early autumn, when the Gondola is running and the fells are at their most accessible.