The region has many memorial seats that have been carefully situated for a moment of quiet contemplation while taking in the splendid views. Equally there are many other splendid viewpoints requiring just a short walk.

Appleby Hill (Birkrigg) Ulverston - Where else could you have such a panoramic view? The Scafells, Conistons, Blencathra, Fairfield Horseshoe, Eastern Fells, Howgills, Whernside and Ingleborough (plus Darwen and Blackpool Towers, Winter Hill and the Snowdonia hills behind you).

Knottallow, Ulverston - At the top of a steep hill just north of Ulverston lie two small tarns. Knotallow Tarn is used by anglers but a few metres up the road from the stile there are splendid views to the north, with Coniston Water just visible, and to the south-east across Ulverston and the Leven Estuary. Continuing up the road and turning right brings you on to Eller Riggs Brow and a lane that descends to Netherhouses, with further splendid views throughout its length.

Tarn Hows - Tens of thousands visit this famous beauty spot every year, but only a small proportion find their way to this stunning viewpoint on a little outcrop just off the top path on the east side of the tarn. I have visited Tarn Hows in all weathers but I don't think there is a better time than in the early morning sunshine on a crisp autumn day. Henry Holiday, a famous Victorian stained glass designer, built Betty Fold (now a splendid tearoom!) less than a mile from here. He wrote that "for concentrated loveliness I know nothing that can quite compare with the lakes and mountains of Westmorland, Cumberland and Lancashire".

Tarn Hows Panorama - From this one outcrop there are fine views of the Coniston Fells, Crinkle Grags, the Langdales, Helvellyn, Fairfield and the Eastern Fells. The tarn was originally an area of three small tarns and some marshy ground. James Marshall, who built Monk Coniston Hall, had it damed in 1865 to create one large tarn and planted woodlands with many specimen trees.

Rosthwaite Heights - This splendid viewpoint and interesting seat is just a short 10 minute walk, mostly on level ground, from Gyhll Head reservoir. There can be few finer views achieved with such little effort! The old Lancashire/Westmorland border is just a distance below the cairn. You can sit here and watch the Windermere Ferry cross back and forth and the "steamers" sail up and down. On a clear day the views in all directions are stunning (see below):-

West to East Panorama from Rosthwaite Heights - The full size version of this panorama comprises six shots stitched together to make a photo that is 1.5 metres long. By my count, there are 45 of the 214 "Wainright" fells clearly visible from this one spot, together with most of the 10 mile length of Windermere, the Howgills and some Yorkshire hills.

TORVER - The last full view of Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man before entering Torver on the road from Lowick. I have photographed this view many times and the atmosphere is always different - watch this space!

ABOVE IRELETH - I only discovered this seat recently on the back road from Dalton to Ireleth. Splendid views of the Duddon Estuary, the sand dunes at North Walney, Sandscale Haws and Haverigg plus Millom and Black Coombe. If you're really lucky, the full length of the Isle of Man can be very prominent.

DUDDON ESTUARY - This new seat is at the shore car park in Askam-in-Furness. In the foreground is the limestone outcrop of Dunnerholme, in the distance the Scafells, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags, and the Coniston range, which can all be identified from the panorama tablet. On a rising tide the bay in front of Dunnerholme fills with waders and wildlfowl. A restful view!

FROM BIRKRIGG COMMON, ACROSS ULVERSTON - Birkrigg offers the best 360 degree panorama in South Cumbria - Wordsworth eulogised about it in his "Guide to the Lakes", passengers disembarked at Bardsea pier from Fleetwood and Liverpool boats to see it. On a clear day (usually when the wind is in the north) there is a panorama from Black Coombe via the Lakes Fells to the Howgills and Ingleborough. But the seat here faces south to take in the views across Morecambe Bay - Humphrey Head and Arnside Knot, the Forest of Bowland, Winter Hill, Blackpool Tower and the Barrow coastline. When it's really clear, Blencathra (just visible in the photo), Darwen Tower and the North Wales mountains are visible. I've seen the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland from here - once in 35 years of regular visits!

LAKE BANK, CONISTON WATER - The path from the car park on Blawith Common down to the Lake Bank jetty takes you to the shore where a view of both the Coniston Fells and the Fairfield Horseshoe is seen against this yacht anchorage. The jetty is only in use in the summer months for the Gondola.

ABOVE COLTON CHURCH - This little known area is a gem. Park at Colton church just off the road from Penny Bridge to Rusland and walk up the bridleway for stunning views. The church is an interesting 17th century building and the mounting steps at the gate allow you to get back on your horse in comfort! The church has unusual stained glass windows, one depicting Joseph's dream!