Little Langdale has some obvious favourites. Cathedral Caves, Slater’s Bridge, the classic photos and then back on your way.

But just around the corner, there’s a whole side of the valley that most don’t ever see.

Head towards Hodge Close Quarry from Cathedral Caves and the landscape starts to feel a little wilder. Slate rubble stretches across the hillsides, the surrounding fells rise dramatically in the distance, and when the clouds roll in, the whole place takes on that wonderfully moody Lake District feel.

And then there are the locals…

Sheep are seen happily wandering across the slate-covered landscape as though it’s the most normal thing in the world. This one seemed particularly interested in what I was doing, posing for the camera!

It’s a small detour to a peaceful and quiet walk that most pass straight by.

So next time you’re visiting Little Langdale for Cathedral Caves or Slater’s Bridge, don’t rush off. Take a little detour, follow the valley a bit further and see what’s beyond the caves.

You might find your favourite view is the one you weren’t looking for.

Imagine walking into a café, helping yourself to a drink and a slice of cake, and then paying without anybody watching. No cashier. No card machine operator. No one checking what you’ve taken.

It sounds unlikely, but tucked away in the Lake District you’ll find honesty boxes, sheds and cafés built entirely on trust.

An honesty shed is a simple, self-serve stop where you’ll find homemade treats, hot and cold drinks, or local produce left out for you to enjoy and pay for. There are no staff, no tills, and no one checking what you’ve taken — just an honesty box and the expectation that visitors will do the right thing.

While the idea might seem unusual at first, honesty sheds have become a much-loved part of life in the Lake District. They reflect something many people associate with the area: a strong sense of community, trust and kindness.

You’ll often spot them along quiet walking routes, near farms and smallholdings, tucked into valleys and beside some of the region’s softer trails. Some are easy to find, while others feel like a hidden discovery waiting to be stumbled upon.

I am going to share one of the first honesty cafes I have come across with you, but the truth is that half the joy comes from simply keeping your eyes open for these little treats. The best honesty sheds often appear when you least expect them — offering not just a cup of tea or a slice of cake, but a small reminder that sometimes trust really does work.

Muddy Boots Honesty Café — Elterwater Park

On the path through Elterwater Park, heading towards Chesters by the River, you’ll first come across a small outdoor stall — ice cream, chocolate, cold drinks. It’s exactly the kind of place that makes you think, “I’ll just stop for a second.” And most people do.

But don’t stop there.

Just around the corner, tucked inside the old stables, is something you could easily miss — and that would be a real shame.

The stables have been quietly transformed into a cosy honesty café, and it’s one of those places that makes you pause in a slightly different way. Inside you’ll find booth-style seating, blankets, cushions, and even a fire for those classic Lake District days when the weather is more “drizzle” than forecast.

It doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t need to.

You’ll find homemade cakes and traybakes, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a selection of cold drinks. There’s even beer available — just call the number on the board and the owners will bring it over to you. Which, if anything, just adds to the charm.

And that’s really the point of it. There’s something unusual — and quietly brilliant — about a place like this. No staff hovering, no tills beeping, no pressure. Just a space, a kettle, a fire, and the assumption that people will do the right thing.

And somehow, they do.

It becomes more than just a stop for a drink. You sit down “for five minutes” and suddenly you’ve warmed up, had a slice of cake you didn’t plan on eating, and are seriously reconsidering your schedule for the rest of the day. (The tiffin, in particular, is dangerous — in the best possible way.)

In a place built entirely on trust, that feeling stays with you long after you’ve left — and that’s probably the most impressive thing about it.

Where to find this gem

The honesty café sits along the route between Chesters by the River and Little Langdale, right in the middle of Elterwater Park.

You can also reach it from the A593 towards Coniston, just before the turn-off for Little Langdale.

It’s easy to walk straight past if you’re focused on the view — but slightly harder to forget once you’ve discovered it.

A fabulous new garden centre is opening on the site of the old Windermere Garden Centre which closed years ago. Lakeland Gardens have filled the site with stunning architectural trees and shrubs.

Lakeland Gardens have been helping clients to realise the full potential of their outdoor space with professional garden design, landscaping, and maintenance services since 2004. The garden centre will be opening soon but if you ask nicely they’ll let you have a sneak preview!

This is St Gregory’s church in the Vale of Lune. The church is tiny and tucked into a sharp corner on the road. Blink and you’ll miss it. I thought it was time to re-do this post using my own photos of the stained glass. The last three pictures a thought to be from the Morris studio.

Larch Cottage Nurseries in the village of Melkinthorpe near Penrith is as good as it gets. With Itallianate ruins, rare and unusual plants, stunning statues and a gorgeous wooden balcony you can eat your lunch on. CA10 2DR

High Dam. A lovely little tarn which makes a great background for portrait photos in the late afternoon sun. The dam at the southern end was built to power Stott Park Bobbin Mill a short distance away. The Bobbin Mill is now a museum with Victorian machinery which still works. At just under two miles this is a nice short walk with a steep start (there is also a gentler route) and your dog will love it. There is a pay and display car park which can be found between Finsthwaite and Stott Park Bobbin Mill. Alternatively, you can walk from Lakeside which is accessible by Windermere Lake Cruises from Ambleside or Bowness or even by steam train from Haverthwaite.

This one is a well kept secret known only to some local dog walkers, kids and a very occasional tourist. I only found out about it last year and I’ve lived here for 20 years. It’s a part of Sheriff’s Walk and you will find it just off the main road from Windermere to Bowness. If you are walking up hill you go past the Police Station, cross over to the other side of the road, go past Goodly Dale School, go past the green bus stop and turn left onto the path. If you are walking down Lake Road from Windermere when you get to Queens Road cross over to the green bus stop. It will take about one minute to get to the other end of the path. Through the gate is Moss Wood and a footpath winding through a beautiful wooded area big enough for your kids and dogs to run wild. There is a stream (beck) running through it which you can paddle in but bear in mind that although it’s shallow it can be quite fast flowing after heavy rain. Our dog has been caught out a couple of times jumping in and finding it hard going. There is even a waterfall towards the bottom of the path. Was tempted to keep this one to myself as we take our dog Sonny there most days and I love the fact that’s it’s empty. However this place is exactly what this blog is about so I had to do it!