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Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Spectacular and varied lakeland landscape around Derwent Water
near Keswick, Cumbria
Opening times for 2 December 2023
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We have several car parks in the Borrowdale valley, all ideal starting points for a new adventure so why not try somewhere new? Parking is pay and display, free for members. Each time you scan your membership card, general funds get re-directed to help look after the Borrowdale valley.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome to our outdoor properties but please keep them under close control to protect stock and wildlife. Take a look at our Canine Code and enjoy a great day out with your pup!
Coffee shop
Come and get a great cup of organic coffee and a cake at locally owned Moon and Sixpence. Ideally located near Crow park as you start your walk along Derwent water.
Toilet
Accessible path to Friar's Crag, Bowder Stone and boardwalk at southern end of Derwent Water. Accessible toilet at Seatoller, Rosthwaite and Watendlath.
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible toilet
By road
B5289 south from Keswick. This is the Borrowdale Road and winds the full length of the valley, climbing the famous Honister Pass to the Buttermere Valley. Minor roads also lead along the west side of the lake, and up the Newlands Pass to Buttermere.
Parking: at Great Wood (CA12 5UP); Kettlewell (CA12 5UN); Bowderstone (CA12 5XA); Honister (CA12 5XN); Seatoller (CA12 5XN); Ashness Bridge (CA12 5UN); Surprise View (CA12 5UU). Watendlath (CA12 5UW) or grid ref. NY275163; Rosthwaite (CA12 5XB).
On foot
We've created a network of easy and moderate waymarked trails starting from the Keswick Lakeside shop and from Great Wood car park, ranging from ½ mile to 1¾ miles
By train
Penrith station is 18 miles to the east, served by regular trains between Glasgow and London. A regular bus service links Penrith to Keswick
By ferry
Keswick Launch Company service to seven landing stages around Derwent Water. 017687 72263
Planning your visit
Article
Car parks in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
There are nine National Trust car parks in Borrowdale and Derwent Water to choose from. Find out how to find them and how much parking costs.
Activity
Visiting Derwent Island and House
Derwent Island and House are open to visitors five days a year. Find out all your need to know about the visit and how to get the most out of your day.
Article
Visiting Borrowdale and Derwent Water with your dog
Borrowdale and Derwent Water has a one paw print rating. Find out all you need to know about bringing your furry side-kick on an adventure around the lake shore, in the valleys and up the fells.
Upcoming events in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Find out what events we have coming up in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Highlights
The Bowder Stone
A house-sized boulder balanced inexplicably on its side. Climb the ladder to the top of this Georgian tourist attraction.
Great Wood
Protected and internationally significant ancient Atlantic oak woodland. Spot lichens, fungi and red squirrels from waymarked walks.
Brandlehow Park
The birthplace of the National Trust in the Lake District and home of the cupped hands sculpture Entrust, by the lakeshore.
Friars Crag
Lakeshore viewpoint looking across to the jaws of Borrowdale, a short walk from Keswick boat landings and the 100 years stone.
Ashness Bridge
Most photographed view in the Lake District – traditional packhorse bridge a short stroll from Surprise View, overlooking Derwent Water.
Crow park
Right on the shores of Derwent Water and a short walk from Keswick town centre, Crow park is the ideal spot for a relaxing picnic with lakeside views.
Force Crag Mine
The last mineral mine to be worked in the Lake District. Visit the processing mill on bookable open days.
Lakeside Takeaway
Drinks, snacks and ice creams available on Derwent Water lakeshore by the boat landings. Just a five-minute walk from Keswick.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see at Derwent Water and Keswick
Take in the views from Friar’s Crag and visit historic sculptures on a lakeside walk around Derwent Water or set off from Keswick to explore the surrounding woodlands and fells.
Article
Wildlife in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Discover the internationally significant ‘Atlantic oakwoods’ and Derwent Water which support a variety of rare species of plants and animals, including the red squirrel and vendace.
Article
Things to see and do in Borrowdale
Discover the top things to see and do during your visit, including scenic walks, ancient woodlands, far-reaching views and famous Lakeland highlights such as the Bowder Stone
Outdoor activities
Activity
Activities on Derwent Water
Take to the water for a spot of canoeing, paddleboarding or paddling. The islands of Derwent Water are waiting to be discovered
Top trails
Trail
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.
Trail
Castle Crag from Seatoller trail: the scenic route
If you'd like to climb Castle Crag in a more civilised way, try this walk that also provides great views across the valley.
Trail
Octavia Hill walk at Brandelhow Park, Derwent Water
Enjoy a relaxing amble through parkland at Brandelhow and along the quiet side of Derwent Water, following in the footsteps of National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill.
Trail
Seatoller, Styhead Tarn and Grains Gill walk
An invigorating circular walk takes you from Seathwaite into the heart of the Lakeland fells, with peaceful tarns to picnic by and views of Great End and Great Gable.
Trail
Thorneythwaite Farm Picnic and Waterfall walk
Explore the land around Thorneythwaite Farm to learn about Lake District hill farming, then climb to see a hidden valley and waterfall cascading below Coombe Crag.
Trail
Peace How walk from High Brandelhow jetty
From High Brandelhow jetty, follow this gentle walk to Peace How – a hill dedicated to providing tranquility after the First World War, with views to Derwent Water and Castle Crag.
Trail
Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge walk
This walk takes you through the timeless beauty of the Borrowdale landscape and up to magnificent viewpoints which are spectacular in every season.
Trail
Borger Dalr geology walk
Discover more about the origins of Borrowdale on the Borger Dalr geology walk. If you are lucky, you may even see a red squirrel too.
Places to stay
Watendlath Bothy
A rustic bothy for those who want to spend more time exploring the fells, tarns and peaks of the Lake District.
Millbeck Towers
An impressive 18th-century carding mill, now a large six-bedroom escape perfect for family get-togethers.
Watergate Farm
Period features throughout in this spacious farmhouse on the shores of Loweswater.
Holme Wood Bothy
A ‘stone tent’ warmed by a log-burner, set just metres from the shores of Loweswater.
Great Langdale Campsite
A relaxed, natural site in the Langdales, a paradise for all kinds of adventures, from meandering trails to major peaks.
Wasdale Campsite
A peaceful campsite less than a mile from the shore of Wastwater, perfectly placed for challenging bike trails and Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain.
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
Upcoming events
Event
Community beech clearing days
Join us for a day in the woodlands helping us clear non native beech trees to help give our native trees a better chance to thrive.
Event
Community coppicing days
Come and enjoy a day out in the woods to help us with coppicing and take home some wood for gardening stakes, firewood or whatever you like.
About Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Derwent Water is often called the 'Queen of the Lakes', and as you canoe along the shore with your camera at the ready it's easy to see why. As Borrowdale winds the 7 miles from Keswick to Seathwaite, there are eight National Trust car parks from which you can start your adventure into the fells.
At the south end of Derwent Water, the boardwalk across the wetlands makes the 9-mile circular waymarked walk around the lake a very pleasant leg stretch, with the chance to see otters and wetland birds if you're lucky. With trails through the Atlantic Oakwoods or up into the jaws of Borrowdale, the valley has something for everyone. And don't miss Force Crag Mine - a hidden gem at the foot of a waterfall in Coledale near Braithwaite.
History
Article
History in the Borrowdale valley
The Bowder Stone, Borrowdale Yews and Castlerigg stone circle have stood watching the Borrowdale valley evolve around them. Discover the history of these ancient residents.
Our work
Project
Project
Riverlands: working to restore the Lake District's waterways
Find out more about the work the National Trust is doing with local partners, tenant farmers and other landowners in the area to help restore the Lake District's rivers.
Article
Lake District locations star in Swallows and Amazons
Discover some of the 2016 film’s most adventurous settings, from secret moorings to hilltop farms, and find out how to see the places that originally inspired Arthur Ransome.
Foundation for Commons Land and the Upland Commons Project
Did you know that along with farmers and other commoners, we look after approximately 16,000 hectares of common land in the North and West Lake District? This includes the Derwent common in the Borrowdale valley. Click here to learn more about the Upland Commons Project, the history of commoning and what we are doing to make sure these important stretches of land continue to support people, livestock and wildlife as they have done for centuries.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Borrowdale and Derwent Water.
Article
Supporter groups in the Lake District
Join a supporter group in the Lake District to volunteer outdoors with other people and help us look after special places in the National Park.