Honister Slate Mine

This is one of the Lake District's better wet-weather choices because the main tour is underground and runs in most conditions, but the approach road and outdoor activities are still exposed to mountain weather. For a calmer visit, aim for a weekday or outside school-holiday periods, and allow time to arrive before a booked tour. The pass and the open slate workings photograph best when the cloud lifts; on misty days, the mine buildings and dark slate heaps give the place a more atmospheric feel.

Drive to the summit of the B5289 Honister Pass from Borrowdale or Buttermere. The road is narrow and dramatic, so take it slowly and allow extra time, especially if mountain roads are unfamiliar. There is parking beside the visitor centre, and the seasonal Honister Rambler bus stops near YHA Honister Hause, about 100 yards from the entrance.

The best reason to come is the combination: a genuine working mine, a memorable underground tour, and a high pass where the landscape still shows the marks of quarrying. The drawbacks are equally clear: access is by a demanding mountain road, and the tour's steps and uneven floor will rule it out for some visitors.