The River Lune rises in the Northwest Pennine foothills and flows past Lancaster to Morecambe Bay. Those with the time and energy can explore the whole area on the 16-mile Lune Valley ramble, but for a varied and easy family walk, make for the Crook O' Lune picnic site, on a horseshoe bend in the river. (The car park has disabled facilities and toilets.)

The views from this spot captivated landscape artist JWW Turner and inspired the poet Ruskin to rhapsodise - he called them "divine".

A walk upstream goes past 18th- and 19th-Century mills, and through ancient woodlands with superb, pungent displays of bluebells and wild garlic in spring under Thirlmere Aqueduct. You'll also pass through tranquil landscapes with pastures farmed since the age of the Norse settlers.

Ordnance Survey Map: OS EXP 296