Find your perfect Borrowdale walk

Visitors enjoying the garden in summer at Wordsworth House and Garden — Visitors in a garden in summer

Latest visiting update

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops, countryside locations and many houses are open. You no longer need to pre-book at many places. Some still require booking ahead, so please check the property webpage before you travel.

More information on visiting

Children dressed as William and his sister Dorothy at the National Trust's Wordsworth House and Garden in Cumbria — William and his sister Dorothy loved to play in the walled garden

Wordsworth House and Garden Cumbria

Dorothy Wordsworth 250 anniversary walking trail

Mark the 250th anniversary of Dorothy Wordsworth's birth by making the journey from her birthplace in Cockermouth to the place where she died in Rydal.

Download the trail

Two children in period costume stand by a river — William Wordsworth called the Derwent his 'fairest of all rivers'

Wordsworth House and Garden Cumbria

Dorothy Wordsworth 250th Anniversary Cycle Trail

Mark Dorothy Wordsworth's 250th anniversary in 2021 by cycling from her birthplace in Cockermouth to the place where she died in Rydal.

Download the cycle trail

woman walking along old miners track towards Castle Crag — The old miner's track rolls gently towards Castle Crag

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Castle Crag from Seatoller - the scenic route

Castle Crag was dedicated as a memorial after the First World War. The route from Seatoller, after an initial climb, follows an undulating contour route giving you great views right down the valley.

Get directions

Stone bench and green grass in foreground with lake and mountains in background — Peace How near Grange in Borrowdale

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Peace How from High Brandelhow Jetty

Peace How is a tiny hill near Derwent Water, gifted in 1917 so that those affected by the hardships of the First World War could come and experience peace and tranquility

Download the walk

Thorneythwaite valley with Thorneythwaite feel on the left, Borrowdale — The expansive landscape of Borrowdale is full of historic surprises

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Thorneythwaite picnic and waterfall walk

Discover a hidden valley and the perfect picnic spot beside a cascading fall

Pack up your lunch and step this way

Cairn on Castle Crag overlooking Upper Borrowdale, Cumbria. — Can you climb into the Jaws of Borrowdale by conquering Castle Crag?

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Borger Dalr geology walk, Borrowdale

Explore the origins of Borrowdale as you walk from Bowder Stone car park to Castle Crag, an area that has been described as ‘the finest square mile in Lakeland’.

Stretch your legs at Borrowdale

Boats and ducks on Watendlath Tarn, Lake District — Calm waters of the hidden hamlet of Watendlath

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Rosthwaite Round, fells, tarn and beck walk

Along this favourite walk that takes you to a Borrowdale gem - the hamlet of Watendlath, you'll discover oak woodland, two tarns (mountain ponds) and stunning Lakeland views.

Get some fresh air in the Lake District

Beatrix Potter's Viewpoints

Stand in the footprints of artist and author Beatrix Potter, and see the views that inspired her creativity

Download the trail map

Sourmilk Ghyll in spate, Seathwaite, Cumbria — Sourmilk Gill in spate

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Seatoller to Sty Head and Grains Gill walk

This invigorating walk takes you into the heart of the Lake District hills on an ancient pack horse route with stunning mountain views.

Get your walking boots on

Bark House bothy and Ashness Bridge, Keswick

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge walk

Enjoy magnificent views in every season on this walk over Derwent Water, the ‘Jewel of the Lake District’.

Take a wonderful scenic walk

Trees over hanging the River Derwent in Borrowdale

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Downstream to Derwent walk

Follow Hause Gill from its source high on Honister Pass, as it joins the River Derwent and continues on to the village of Grange in Borrowdale.

Discover a variety of wildlife

The bench at the viewpoint at Friar's Crag, Derwent Water with hills reflected in the lake — Keswick's best viewpoint, Friar's Crag, is just a ten minute stroll from our shop

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Summer star gazing walk at Friar’s Crag

On a clear night leave the bright lights of Keswick behind for a short walk at Friar's Crag, a magical location for both stargazing and wildlife spotting.

Be dazzled by the night sky

The Memorial Stone in Brandelhow Park, commemorating the first National Trust acquisition in the Lake District — The Memorial Stone in Brandelhow Park commemorates the first National Trust acquisition in the Lake District

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Octavia Hill walk at Brandelhow Park, Derwent Water

An easy lakeside amble along Derwent Water in the Lake District, following in the footsteps of National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill.

Take a stroll along Derwent Water

Family walking with dogs in Borrowdale, Cumbria — Stretch your legs and get out and about in Borrowdale, Cumbria

Borrowdale and Derwent Water Cumbria

Walking and cycling in Borrowdale

With easy low-level routes and a good bus and ferry service from Keswick, plus hotels and cafés dotted along the valley, Borrowdale is a great place for walking and cycling in the Lake District.

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