
Discover more at Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Find out how to get to Borrowdale and Derwent Water, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
Derwent Water has been called 'Queen of the Lakes' because of the way it's cradled by the surrounding fells. Visit the viewpoints and historic sculptures on a lakeside stroll or set off from Keswick to explore the surrounding woodlands and fells.
If you’re visiting the Lake District around Keswick, a great place to start your trip is Derwent Water foreshore. Just a five-minute walk from Keswick's market square, the foreshore offers easy walks with parking, toilets, cafés and benches, with views down the length of the lake of Cat Bells and the Jaws of Borrowdale.
Ten minutes on the Lakeside Amble waymarked trail from the Keswick foreshore and landing stages takes you to Friar’s Crag. Visit Lake District’s Miles Without Stiles Number 36: Friar's Crag for more information and a map.
From the bench on the crag you get an unbroken view down the length of the lake, with the fells of Walla Crag and Maiden Moor curling along the left and right shores, and the ‘tooth’ of Castle Crag right in the centre at the far end. This view inspired a lifelong love of natural landscapes in artist and writer John Ruskin.
In a grove of trees on the crag is a slate memorial to the writer, thinker and painter John Ruskin who named the view from Friar’s Crag as his earliest memory. His writing on the impact that natural landscapes have on people was a huge influence on the founders of the National Trust.
- John Ruskin, artist
You can walk all round Derwent Water. The entire loop is 10 miles, so make sure you've got all day. Good places to start from are the National Trust car parks at Great Wood and Kettlewell which are both close to the lake.
The lakeshore circular path is waymarked and it takes you from Keswick's foreshore, along beaches, through woods and over bridges with plenty of boat and bus links to save any weary legs.
Cat Bells, 'the Lair of the Wildcat' is a notable part of the skyline of Borrowdale. At a mere 451m it’s considered a ‘minor’ fell but the rangers here call it a 'proper little mountain'.
Expect false summits, short scramble sections where you have to use your hands, a bare rocky dome for a summit and views right across Derwent Water to Skiddaw and down the length of Borrowdale.
There’s very limited parking at Cat Bells, so it’s best to park in Keswick and go by boat to Hawes End Jetty, or by bus to the trail head. Cat Bells was nominated as one of the Nation's Favourite 100 walks and is the Lake District National Park’s Miles Without Stiles route number 33.
Find out more information about parking for Cat Bells.
The area around Cat Bells was a favourite of children’s writer Beatrix Potter who used the surroundings as locations for The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, Squirrel Nutkin and of course Mrs Tiggy-Winkle the hedgehog laundress who famously lived behind a little wooden door on Cat Bells.
You can help minimise erosion damage by sticking to the main path up the ‘nose’ of the ridge. Some people use short cuts up the flanks that can quickly be gouged out into deep erosion scars by the famous Lake District rain.
Find out how to get to Borrowdale and Derwent Water, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
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.
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.
We aim to open Derwent Island and House 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.
Take to the water for a spot of canoeing, paddleboarding or paddling. The islands of Derwent Water are waiting to be discovered
Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.
Explore the Lake District's majestic mountains – among them Scafell Pike, the tallest in England – ancient woodland, hidden waterfalls, rugged coastline and, of course, its many lakes. You might even spot a red squirrel, roe deer or bird of prey.
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.
On a clear night leave the bright lights of Keswick behind for a short walk at Friars Crag, a magical Lake District location for both stargazing and wildlife spotting.