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Octavia Hill walk at Brandelhow Park, Derwent Water

Lake District

Lake and mountain view on a sunny autumn day, Derwent Water in the Lake District.
Autumn view of Derwent Water from Brandelhow, Borrowdale | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

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.

Start point

Hawes End Jetty, Derwent Water, grid ref: NY250213

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.6 (km: 5.76)
Duration1 hour 30 mins
Dog friendly***
  1. *Low-level lakeside and woodland paths. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

  2. **Lower section of the path (up until Step 4) is accessible by wheelchair. For further details, please see Access section.

  3. ***Dogs are welcome, under close control. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.  

  • 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

    Map of Octavia Hill walk at Brandelhow Park, Derwent Water
    Octavia Hill walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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