Syke Farm Tea Room

Tucked into one of Lakeland's loveliest valleys, Syke Farm Tea Room is the sort of place walkers dream of at the halfway point. This is a genuine working farm, and the reward for reaching Buttermere is homemade ice cream made from the milk of the farm's own cattle — best enjoyed at an outdoor table with the fells rising all around. Inside, it's unpretentious and warm, pouring proper tea and generous slices of cake to boot-weary ramblers. Few settings match it: mountains, meadow and lake within a stone's throw. A destination in its own right.

A truly rural tearoom in a breathtaking valley, with the rare charm of ice cream from its own herd — the kind of stop you cross the county for and tell friends about afterwards.

• Dog Friendly
• Food Lovers
• Nature Lovers
• Weekend Escape