Welcome to a Travelcast by Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel editor. A Travelcast is a short video that you can watch or download and enjoy at your leisure. This time, we’re visiting Cumbria - The Lake District.

Simon starts his trip at Hardknott Fort, one of the best-preserved Roman forts of its era in Europe. He then takes his trusty bicycle across the mountains on Hardknott Pass, said to be the steepest road in England.

That’s the great thing about Cumbria - The Lake District – Simon discovers that it’s not only easy to get about on foot, bike, boat and train, it’s also one of the best ways to discover the area and appreciate its outstanding natural beauty. He takes to the hills for a hike (all five of England’s mountains above 900m are in Cumbria - The Lake District), catches a steam train and enjoys a cruise on Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England.

Cumbria - The Lake District has also, of course, inspired some of our best-loved writers, and he visits the former homes of poet William Wordsworth and author Beatrix Potter, as well as Blackwell, a beautiful Arts and Crafts house. Simon ends his trip discovering the culinary delights of Ambleside, before taking to the trees for some Tarzan-esque antics at an outdoor adventure centre.

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