This has long been one of my favourite walks because it is quiet full of natural history and has a haunting name.

The shape of this 70 acre lake has led to suggestions that it was built by monks and should not be regarded as a lake but as a tarn.

Experts continue to argue about it, but who cares?

To me it is a lovely place and well worth a gentle stroll around it.

The lake was certainly used as a fish pond by the Cistercian monks of Furness Abbey and there is an amusing story which tells us that the volume of the water equated with the volume of ale drank by the monks in a year!

There is, no doubt however, that it was naturally formed and was once part of the much larger Ullswater but became isolated as a result of silt being flushed down by rain from the surrounding fells.

To get there, follow the road over Kirkstone Pass (A592) to the village of Hartsop. There is a car park at Cow Bridge from which the walk starts.

1. From the car park move into one of the most attractive oak woods in Cumbria. Turn left and continue through the woods, with Brotherswater on the left.

At this time of the year oak woodlands are a delight and acorns are beginning to develop. The old word for the oak was acc and accounts for place names such as Acton and Accrington.

There are far too few oak woods left and this one is an absolute stunner. Do not rush this section as it provides shelter in wet weather and shade in the heat of the summer.

2. As the woodland is passed, approach a track with Hartsop Hall on the left. This building has a fascinating history, with parts dating back to the 16th Century.

For a while Lord Lonsdale, whose name is associated with the Lonsdale Belt in boxing, lived in the hall. From the hall bear right and then take a left turn, cross a footbridge over a stream and go through a gate into a field.

3. Follow the obvious grassy track to reach a slab bridge over Dovedale Beck and at this time do not rush but look for evidence of a prehistoric settlement around Dovedale.

Keep Kirkstone Beck on the left. This is in complete contrast to the oak woodland and some of the earthworks stand almost ten feet high. The view from the settlement reveals spectacular mountain scenery.

4. Pass through the settlement and then turn sharp left and cross another stream via a wooden footbridge. This is Caiston Beck and is an excellent place to watch resident birds such as the grey wagtail and the dipper.

Continue onwards to reach the A592 and for a short distance use the footpath alongside the road to reach a campsite and the Brotherswater Hotel.

5. In front of the Old Inn bear first left and then right to approach a permissive footpath off to the left.

This follows a sunken path running parallel to the road and always damp. In fact, during periods of heavy rain it can be impassable. At such times there is a wide verge alongside the A592.

6. The track passes alongside Brotherwater to the left and leads to the hamlet of Hartsop. The name indicates that this is a place where deer are found.

Here also are the remains of an old water powered corn mill, a 16th Century drying kiln and the cottages have spinning galleries designed to provide the maximum daylight in which to work before the days of electricity. From here, return to the car park.

Distance: 3.5 miles Time: 3 hours to enjoy the peace and the wildlife Map: OS Explorer OL5