Lake District

Octavia Hill walk at Brandelhow Park, Derwent Water

The commemorative plaque at the 4 oak trees at Brandelhow with views of Derwent Water — The birthplace of the National Trust at Brandelhow | © National Trust Images/Joe Cornish

An easy lakeside amble along the quiet side of Derwent Water, leading you on a circular route through the tranquil parkland at Brandelhow, birthplace of the National Trust in the Lake District.

Near to

Borrowdale and Derwent Water

Start point

Hawes End Jetty, Derwent Water, grid ref: NY250213

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.6 (km: 5.76)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Low-level lakeside and woodland paths. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
**Lower section of the path (up until Step 4) is accessible by wheelchair. For further details, please see Access section.
***Dogs are welcome, under close control. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Hawes End Jetty, near Portinscale, Keswick. Nearest postcode CA12 5UB. No parking at start.
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
From Cockermouth and Keswick: X4, X5 and X50 stops at Braithwaite (2 miles north of walk start). From Keswick: Honister Rambler 77 calls at Portinscale (2 miles north of walk start), during summer only.
By ferry
Catch the Keswick Launch from Keswick Lakeside to Hawes End Jetty.
Visit the website
On foot
This trail follows a part of the Cumbria Way footpath and is just off the Allerdale Ramble footpath.
Cycling
2 miles (3.2km) south of National Cycle Network Route 71.
See Sustrans for more info
By road
There is no car park near the start. We recommend that you park in Keswick and catch the launch to Hawes End Jetty. The only parking near Hawes End is a small lay-by at Gutherscale (CA12 5UE), 15 minutes' walk from Hawes End Jetty. For this lay-by, take the Portinscale turn from the A66 near Keswick, then follow signposts towards Grange until you get to the hairpin bends at the foot of Cat Bells. Take the dead-end road to the right of the apex of the hairpin – the parking lay-by is 100m up on the left-hand side.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Hawes End Jetty, Derwent Water, grid ref: NY250213
Stage 1
Standing on Hawes End Jetty, turn left and head south along the wide track that runs parallel to the lake shore for half a mile.
Stage 2
The wide track you're on will be joined from the right by another track. Continue through the park with trees on your left, through a narrow band of trees and on towards the lakeshore where you'll see Low Brandlehow jetty.
Stage 3
At Low Brandlehow jetty, keep heading south (to your right) and follow the lakeshore path. This will take you past the hands sculpture, and gets a little rougher and muddier as it follows the lakeshore to High Brandlehow jetty where there's a picnic table and a nice place to pause and rest your legs.
Stage 4
Continue along the lake shore until you reach the next jetty at High Brandelhow, then make a sharp U-turn onto the upper track in the wood, passing under the line of large Douglas fir trees. Follow this upper path all the way back to the Hawes End Adventure Centre.
Stage 5
As you walk back through the woods, ignore side-paths to the left and right and stay on the main path. You'll get glimpses of the lake, and you'll pass by the traditional stone barn.
Stage 6
You'll pass beside Hawes End Adventure Centre, coming onto a road, then look for a track to your right which is signposted 'Hawes End Jetty'. This will take you back to the Jetty and complete the circular walk.
End point
Hawes End Jetty, Derwent Water, grid ref: NY250213
Trail map
Octavia Hill walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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