
Discover more at Buttermere Valley
Find out how to get to Buttermere Valley, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
Find out all the information you’ll need before your boating or fishing trip to the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater, including how to get fishing permits and boating permits and where to fish for that elusive catch.
If you're planning to go fishing or launch a boat onto the waters in the Buttermere Valley, you’ll need a permit before you head off. This applies to all types of floating craft including canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (SUP), windsurfers and inflatable craft.
To keep the lakes quiet and peaceful, motorised craft are not allowed on Buttermere, Crummock or Loweswater.
The use of lead weights for fishing is banned on all National Trust waters.
Please help to keep these lakes free from invasive species by checking, cleaning and drying your boats, paddles and wetsuits before using them in the Buttermere Valley.
You can buy fishing and boating permits for Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater from the National Trust.
Day permits are available to buy from the machines in the National Trust car parks in Buttermere (sat nav CA13 9UZ) and Crummock Water (CA13 0RT). Please note these machines only take coins.
If you don't often carry cash with you, you also have the option of purchasing your permit through the pay by phone app. To do this, you must first download the app to your phone and enter the code 804483 when prompted. You can find more information and download the app here: Pay by Phone
We recommend dowloading the app and purchasing your permit before you head out in case connection is poor on location.
For an annual permits please call the North and West Lakes office on 017687 74649.
All anglers need to hold an Environmental Agency Rod Licence which you can get from any Post Office or at gov.uk/fishing-licences.
Trout, char, pike, and perch can all be found in Buttermere with a bag limit of 20 char. There are no launching facilities, but you can launch your own boats. To keep the lake's quiet character, the number of boats is limited to 10 per party (including canoes or windsurfers).
There are opportunities for trout, char, pike and perch fishing here with a bag limit of 20 char on the lake. There are no launching facilities, but you can launch your own boats. The number of boats is limited to 10 per party (including canoes or windsurfers).
You can fish for brown trout on this lake with a bag limit of three. There is also other coarse fishing with pike and perch in Loweswater.
There are no launching facilities, but you can launch your own small boats (under four metres) including canoes. There is a restriction on the lake of four craft at any one time.
Find out how to get to Buttermere Valley, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
Explore the Lake District's Buttermere Valley and discover walks through rugged landscapes, panoramic views, thundering waterfalls and other forces of nature.
Discover the wildlife you can spot in the Buttermere Valley. Learn how otters have returned and how rangers care for swathes of bluebells to protect them for future generations.
From conservation projects and protecting archaeological features to improving the experience of visitors or laying hedgerows, our work at this special place is rich and varied.