Is this the best view of the British bank? Enjoy the sublime Lake District spot that inspired Turner and Constable

It may just be a rocky slab jutting out into a pretty lake, but Friars Crag, overlooking Derwentwater near Keswick, in the north of the Lake District, offers one of Britain’s finest views.

From here a panorama of mountains, forests, islands and water opens up, with views of the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ where the River Derwent flows through a gorge. Over the years it has inspired missionaries, artists such as Turner and Constable, writers and poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Under the pine trees of the crag are memorials to both local vicar Hardwicke Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trust, and the much-traveled writer John Ruskin, who lived near Coniston Water. Ruskin believed that no other view in Europe could match this.

A ten-minute stroll takes you to the winding pedestrian streets of the market town of Keswick, said to be home to Britain’s highest concentration of outdoor gear shops.

Peaceful spot: Simon Heptinstall says Friars Crag in Keswick (pictured) offers ‘one of the most beautiful views in Britain’

Widely traveled writer John Ruskin believed that no other view in Europe could match that of Friars Crag, Simon reveals

It is a real hiking headquarters. Not surprising with so many beautiful peaks rising everywhere, including the much-loved Catbells (1,500 feet) across Derwentwater – quite challenging, but exhilarating nonetheless.

Then you have Keswick’s famous Pencil Museum. This celebrates one of the world’s best sources of graphite, found in the nearby hills.

In the town there is also the highly regarded Theater By The Lake, not far from Friars Crag. Its president is Judi Dench, no less. Outdoor gear shops, pubs, bookshops and restaurants can be found around Keswick’s prominent central square (where markets are held), at the center of which is the Moot Hall, which houses the tourist office under a clock tower.

From here you can follow paths to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, on a plateau surrounded by slopes (three kilometers, mostly uphill), and take a lakeside walk to Lingholm (three kilometers, mostly flat).

The views over Keswick and Derwentwater – both ‘well worth a visit’

The dramatic Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle is not far from Keswick

On the latter point, it’s a pleasure to stop at the Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden, which were the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s Mr McGregor’s Garden. Enjoy Cumberland sausages or luxurious cream tea with prosecco.

Opposite Friars Crag is the Isle of St. Herbert, once home to an influential missionary hermit of that name, frequented by early Celtic saints such as Cuthbert.

Derwentwater and Keswick are no longer such hideaways, but well worth a visit.

Where to stay: Doubles from £130 B&B at Inn On The Square, with chic Scandinavian design, a gleaming cocktail bar and rooms with sweeping hill views (innonthesquare.co.uk). For more information, see visitlakedistrict.com.