Tongue Pot, Eskdale

There’s a series of lovely pools along the higher reaches of the River Esk. The legendary Tongue Pot is the best, set beneath an ancient packhorse bridge with high jumps possible into deep water. There are many more pools as you explore upstream on the Esk and Lingcove Beck; Esk Falls has the biggest pool.

Directions: Follow road E from Boot past Woolpack Inn (CA19 1TH) to park by the telephone at the bottom of Hardknott Pass (‘road unsuitable’ signs) and follow riverside path up through Brotherilkeld Farm for 2 miles to confluence and bridge.