Buttermere Valley

Buttermere (the lake) offers one of the best round-the-lake walks in the Lake District. The walk is relatively easy and level with a great 'reward for effort' ratio.

Enjoy one of the most jaw-dropping beach-side views in the Lakes when woodland (a haven for red squirrels) suddenly opens up to offer a view along Crummock Water.

Take a walk on the quiet side. Tranquil at any time of year, a walk at Loweswater affords views of Mellbreak, Blake Fell and Burbank Fell.

Enjoy the view into the secret valley on this exhilarating Lakeland ridge walk that climbs from the Buttermere Valley up to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts.

See a traditional farm, walk along an ancient Corpse Road and discover evidence of human activity dating from the Bronze Age to the Second World War.

This walk is dominated by two spectacular views: the famous vista of the Buttermere fells seen over Crummock Water, and the dramatic rocky buttress of Grasmoor End, looming over the northern end of the lake.

Great depths, cool temperatures and low nutrient levels give Buttermere and Crummock Water incredible clarity and make an ideal home for hardy species, reliant on chilly, clear water.

We are working with the local community to restore the ecological quality of Loweswater, which has been impacted by human activity.

Discover Whiteoak Moss, south of Loweswater, home for over a millennium to specialist plant species.

Catch up with the North Lakes Ranger team as they carry out some routine repair work on a popular trackway in Loweswater

The Ranger team spend time each winter hedge laying

A blog post about meadows, bogs and botanics

No two days are ever the same. Get a glimpse into the behind the scenes work of a valley ranger in the Lake District.

Becoming a World Heritage Site has involved a lot of consideration around the culture and landscape of the Lakes.

Holme Wood Bothy is situated in an idyllic location, just a few metres from the shores of Loweswater in the Lake District. The six-sleeper bothy offers basic accommodation, with a few added comforts such as a wood-burning stove and a basic kitchen area. From the bothy you could walk to Holme Force, a secret waterfall hidden in the woods, or go further afield to hike the peaks of Buttermere Valley.

Stay close to the shores of Loweswater in this traditional Lake District farmhouse. It’s full of charm inside with spacious rooms, a farmhouse kitchen and period features. Encompassed by woodland and open farmland with views across the valley, there is a 4-mile walk around the lake which finishes near Kirkstile Inn, a cosy country pub. For a more challenging trail, hike to the top of Melbreak for views of Buttermere Valley. Sleeps 6.