Hartsop is a small 17th century village next to Brothers Water in the Lake District. It holds 12 listed buildings among its cottages, with spinning galleries and external staircases a common vernacular feature. Its steep, narrow lanes and unforgiving dry stone walls mean it is visited more by walkers than motorists, for whom a car park is provided outside the village. The village is relatively under-visited by Lake District standards, probably because there is no cafe or pub in the village, the nearest being the Brotherswater Inn a kilometre away. On a sunny November day the combination of blue sky, autumn golds and snow makes an irresistible subject to paint.