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Lake District

Accessible walk to Broomhill Point viewpoint

A group including a wheel chair user stopping at Broomhill point to take in the view on a sunny winter's day
Stopping to take in the view at Broomhill point | © Melinda Gilhen-Baker

A stile-free out-and back route along the Derwent Water foreshore to the viewpoint at Broomhill Point, with views over the water to Cat Bells and Causey Pike. Choice of two routes at Strandshag bay, one with a smooth compact surface and one closer to the lake with some boulders, tree roots and muddy patches.

Start point

Keswick Lakeside Car Park, Grid Ref: NY265229 what3Words ///waltzed.sideburns.cases, Postcode: CA12 5DJ

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.75 (km: 4.4)

Short trail

DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
Duration1 hour 20 mins to 2 hours 10 mins
Dog friendly***
  1. *The route starts and ends with a 7% gradient on tarmac from/to the car park, includes a cattle grid and a 16% gradient on rough bumpy surface. Otherwise all gradients are less than 15%. For further details, please see Terrain section 

  2. **This out-and-back walk starts from Keswick Lakeside carpark (what3Words ///waltzed.sideburns.cases), and includes tarmac lakeshore promenade before venturing out on paths through sheep fields with variable surfaces – including a recycled plastic boardwalk that’s 2m wide.  For further details please see section marked Access.     

  3. ***Please note this route crosses a field grazed by sheep, please keep dogs under close control, especially at lambing time. For further details please see section marked Facilities. 

Cattle grid

This route includes one cattle grid. The pedestrian gate beside the cattle grid is narrow and opens one way. The gate is 39 inches (1m) wide. The narrowest gap is 35 inches (89cm).

  • Total stages: 10

    Total stages: 10

    Start point

    Keswick Lakeside Car Park, Grid Ref: NY265229 what3Words ///waltzed.sideburns.cases, Postcode: CA12 5DJ

    Stage 1

    Start from Keswick Lakeside carpark. Exit the carpark onto Lake Road past Theatre by the Lake. Continue down the tarmac for 164yds (150m) to the lake.

    A sloped tarmacked road and pavement leading from the car park to Derwent Water lakeshore
    The slope from the car park to the lake | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 2

    At the bottom of the slope on the left, there is a map panel showing this route and others, beside the Moon and Sixpence coffee shop. Carry straight on along the road along the promenade for 273yds (250m), ignoring three entrances to the left into the woods.

    View along the Derwent Water foreshore promenade. There are cobbles on the ground outside the Moon & Sixpence cafe.
    Derwent Water foreshore promenade - cobbles outside Moon & Sixpence | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 3

    There is another downhill gradient 5% towards where the tarmac ends. Take the National Trust path and continue for 164yds (150m) until you get to the fork. 

    The uneven surface of a lakeside path leading to the start of a National Trust path
    Uneven surface before National Trust path starts | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 4

    At the fork you have a choice: You can turn right for the optional 273yds (250m) out-and-back to the famous viewpoint of Friar’s Crag. Alternatively you can turn left for the two alternative routes around Strandshag Bay (skip to step 5).

    A tight turning area on the lakeshore path at Friar's Crag
    Tight turning area | © Jessie Binne

    Stage 5

    There are two options for Strandshag Bay. The upper path is via the 4ft (1.2m) two-way gate visible immediately as you take the left fork. This path is 4ft (1.2m) wide with a smooth compacted surface, two benches, and a 16yd (15m) stretch of wooden boardwalk covered in avian wire.  The upper and lower paths meet up again after 390yds (360m) on the far side of the bay beside a fallen tree. This field is grazed by sheep.

    Uneven path surface on the lower path at Strandshag Bay
    Uneven path surface on the lower path at Strandshag Bay | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 6

    Where the paths meet up again there is a bench – this is the last bench on this route until you get to Broomhill Point viewpoint. Go straight ahead through the gate into the woodlands over the bridge onto the boardwalk. The gate is 4ft (1.2m) and is two-way opening. The bridge is 1.5m wide the boardwalk is 2m wide with a tapping rail on both edges. Continue along the two stretches of boardwalk to the T junction

    View of the boardwalk through Ings Wood
    Boardwalk through Ings Wood | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 7

    At the end of the 2nd boardwalk, turn right and climb the gentle incline up to the main track (12% gradient). Keep right along the main track – it is sign posted to the Lake. This track is used by vehicles. There are many potholes. You’ll come to a cattle grid with a narrow pedestrian gate.

    View of a cattle grid and narrow wooden gate on a path in the countryside
    Cattlegrid and narrow gate | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 8

    After the cattle grid, the track slopes downhill (12% Gradient) then climbs an uphill 16% gradient. There are small boulders protruding from the surface the surface can be muddy after rain. It also turns a corner on an adverse camber. At the fork keep left away from the houses. Then the path follows the fence line at the edge of the field with views out over the lake. The path is 2m wide with a smooth compact surface with sudden muddy patches.

    Gradient along a path with a rough surface
    Gradient with rough surface | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 9

    At the gate, go straight through the gate. This gate is a one way opening gate that opens towards you with a pull handle. It is a 4 foot (1.2m) gate. Climb the gentle incline to the yew trees (less than 4% gradient). At the fork in the path keep straight on the path is level but has some exposed tree roots and it leads you to the semi-circular bench at Broomhill Point viewpoint.

    A one way wooden gate on a countryside path leading to viewpoint
    One Way Gate before viewpoint | © Jessie Binns

    Stage 10

    The most accessible route back from the viewpoint is to retrace your steps back to the car park. The route which continues from here around Calf Close Bay is badly eroded by winter storms, and includes deep muddy patches, deep shingle and gravel, tree roots and debris and a 40% gradient. You could descend to view the 100 Year Stone sculpture which is 87 yds (80m) further on from the viewpoint down a 20% gradient. The sculpture is only accessible via a shingle gravel beach and is submerged when lake levels are high. (NB Look Out For – see below)

    The view across Derwent Water lake towards the Lakeland fells from Broomhill Point viewpoint
    Broomhill Point viewpoint | © Jessie Binns

    End point

    Broomhill Point viewpoint, Grid Ref: NY267215 What3Words ///wished.column.output Postcode: CA12 5DL

    Trail map

    Map showing the accessible trail to Broomhill Point viewpoint
    Map of the accessible trail to Broomhill Point viewpoint | © Crown copyright and database rights 2024 Ordnance Survey

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