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Things to see at Derwent Water and Keswick

Two visitors in warm coats walk along a lakeshore path by Derwent Water, with autumnal leaves turning on the trees
Walking by the lakeshore at Derwent Water, in the Lake District | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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.

Derwent Water foreshore

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.

Friar’s Crag

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.

‘The first thing I remember … was being taken by my nurse to the brow of Friar’s Crag.’

- John Ruskin, artist

 

Walk around Derwent Water

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.

Find out more information and view a map of the area. 
 

View of the lake and mountains in Autumn from the shores of Derwent Water in the Lake District.
Looking out over the lake from the shores of Derwent Water. | © National Trust Images/Melvin Jefferson

Cat Bells: ‘the Lair of the Wildcat’

A proper little mountain

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.

How to get to Cat Bells

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.

Beatrix Potter country

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. 

Protect Cat Bells as you walk

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.

The rusty exterior of the processing mill at Force Crag Mine in Borrowdale, Cumbria.
The processing mill at Force Crag Mine, Borrowdale | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Other things to see and do near Keswick

Clouds and mountains reflected in the water on a sunny day at Borrowdale and Derwent Water

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.

You might also be interested in

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.

A barn owl in flight against a blurred landscape

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.

Two men in the welcome team smile from the National Trust truck in Great Wood car park on a sunny autumn day

Visiting Derwent Island and House 

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.

View of Derwent Island on Derwentwater and Keswick, seen from Catbells, Lake District

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

Two children in wetsuits playing with a paddle board in the lake

Countryside and woodland 

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.

Three visitors walking along a log in the grounds of Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

Countryside in the Lake District 

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.

View of Sticklebarn and the Langdales, Lake District

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.

Visitors walking in the parkland at Lyme Park, Cheshire

Stargazing walk at Friars Crag 

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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.75 (km: 1.2)
The bench at the viewpoint at Friar's Crag, Derwent Water with hills reflected in the lake