Skip to content
A group of people walk alongside Derwent Water in the Lake District with their dogs during winter.
Visitors enjoy a walk along the shore of Derwent Water in the winter sun, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Lake District

Peace How walk from High Brandelhow jetty

Leave the car behind for a gentle walk with time and space to reflect. Peace How looks over Derwent Water to the north, and Castle Crag – a First World War memorial fell – to the south. It was gifted to us in 1917, so that anyone affected by the First World War could come and experience peace and tranquility.

Planning your journey

There is no parking at High Brandelhow, so you'll need to take the launch from Keswick. When the lake level is very low, the launch can't land at High Brandelhow. Please check the website for details and timetables before setting out (see 'Getting there' section).

Total steps: 5

Total steps: 5

Start point

High Brandelhow jetty, grid ref: NY252195 (no parking)

Step 1

There's no parking near Peace How, so park in Keswick and catch the launch to High Brandelhow jetty. Turn left when you step off the jetty and follow the path along the lakeshore (ignore the fork to the right). At the houses the path becomes a track.

Looking out at the jetty at Brandelhow where two people are walking back on a clear winter's day
A winter's walk along Derwent Water | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Step 2

Stay on the track until you get to the fingerpost pointing left, which says 'Lodore 1 mile'. Take the left fork towards Lodore. Continue along the path until you've completed the first stretch of the boardwalk.

A wooden boardwalk runs between wetlands set below fells, framed by leafless trees
Boardwalk through precious wetland habitat in Borrowdale | © National Trust/Roy Henderson

Step 3

Just before you get to the second stretch of boardwalk you'll see a waymark post. At the post, turn right and leave the main path. Follow the grassy path to the gate in the corner of the field, then through the next kissing gate. The path becomes more defined and leads to the road.

Step 4

At the road, turn left and walk along the road until you get to the Borrowdale Gates Hotel on the left.

Step 5

Opposite the entrance to the Borrowdale Gates Hotel, look for a fingerpost signing a public footpath to the right. At the fingerpost, turn right through the gate. The narrow path climbs gradually, with one small area of exposed bedrock to negotiate, to the slate bench at the crest of the hill. Take a seat, and experience the peace and tranquility for which this place was given over 100 years ago. When you are ready, retrace your steps to return to High Brandelhow jetty.

End point

High Brandelhow jetty, grid ref: NY252195 (no parking)

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the High Brandelhow to Peace How walk
Map of the High Brandelhow to Peace How walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

A view of the Seathwaite Valley in Borrowdale on a wet day in winter.
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.3 (km: 3.68)
View into the Seathwaite Valley and the surrounding snow-dusted mountains on a clear winter's day
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 7 (km: 11.2)
Two visitors walk along a snow covered track with their dogs in the hamlet of Watendlath in Cumbria
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5.25 (km: 8.4)
Looking out at the jetty at Brandelhow where two people are walking back on a clear winter's day
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.6 (km: 5.76)

Get in touch

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Close up of a walker's boots with a group of walkers in the background as they climb up Pen yr Ole Wen, Carneddau and Glyderau, Gwynedd, Wales
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Four people in winter clothing walk along a snow covered path through the village of Watendlath in the Lake District
Article
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

Looking out at the jetty at Brandelhow where two people are walking back on a clear winter's day
Article
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.

A family return to their car after a winter walk in the Lake District. Two children sit in the open boot of the car as they remove their muddy boots with the help of two adults.
Article
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.

A hiker wearing an insulated jacket and a backpack watches the sunset over snowy mountain peaks

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

A hiker wearing an insulated jacket and a backpack watches the sunset over snowy mountain peaks

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.