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Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Spectacular and varied lakeland landscape around Derwent Water
near Keswick, Cumbria
Opening times for 3 March 2025
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We have several car parks in the Borrowdale valley, all ideal starting points for a new adventure so why not try somewhere new? Parking is pay and display, free for members. Each time you scan your membership card, general funds get re-directed to help look after the Borrowdale valley.
Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome to our outdoor properties but please keep them under close control to protect stock and wildlife. Take a look at our Canine Code and enjoy a great day out with your pup!
Coffee shop
Come and get a great cup of organic coffee and a cake at locally owned Moon and Sixpence. Ideally located near Crow park as you start your walk along Derwent water.
Toilet
Accessible path to Friar's Crag, Bowder Stone and boardwalk at southern end of Derwent Water. Accessible toilet at Seatoller, Rosthwaite and Watendlath.
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible toilet
By road
B5289 south from Keswick. This is the Borrowdale Road and winds the full length of the valley, climbing the famous Honister Pass to the Buttermere Valley. Minor roads also lead along the west side of the lake, and up the Newlands Pass to Buttermere.
Parking: at Great Wood (CA12 5UP); Kettlewell (CA12 5UN); Bowderstone (CA12 5XA); Honister (CA12 5XN); Seatoller (CA12 5XN); Ashness Bridge (CA12 5UN); Surprise View (CA12 5UU). Watendlath (CA12 5UW) or grid ref. NY275163; Rosthwaite (CA12 5XB).
On foot
We've created a network of easy and moderate waymarked trails starting from the Keswick Lakeside shop and from Great Wood car park, ranging from ½ mile to 1¾ miles
By train
Penrith station is 18 miles to the east, served by regular trains between Glasgow and London. A regular bus service links Penrith to Keswick
By ferry
Keswick Launch Company service to seven landing stages around Derwent Water. 017687 72263
Planning your visit
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.
Article
Family things to do in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Helpful tips and ideas for the perfect day out in Borrowdale and Derwent Water with the whole family
Article
Visiting Borrowdale and Derwent Water with your dog
Borrowdale and Derwent Water has a one paw print rating. Find out all you need to know about bringing your furry side-kick on an adventure around the lake shore, in the valleys and up the fells.
Upcoming events in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Find out what events we have coming up in Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Highlights
The Bowder Stone
A house-sized boulder balanced inexplicably on its side. Climb the ladder to the top of this Georgian tourist attraction.
Great Wood
Protected and internationally significant ancient Atlantic oak woodland. Spot lichens, fungi and red squirrels from waymarked walks.
Brandlehow Park
The birthplace of the National Trust in the Lake District and home of the cupped hands sculpture Entrust, by the lakeshore.
Friars Crag
Lakeshore viewpoint looking across to the jaws of Borrowdale, a short walk from Keswick boat landings and the 100 years stone.
Ashness Bridge
Most photographed view in the Lake District – traditional packhorse bridge a short stroll from Surprise View, overlooking Derwent Water.
Crow park
Right on the shores of Derwent Water and a short walk from Keswick town centre, Crow park is the ideal spot for a relaxing picnic with lakeside views.
Force Crag Mine
The last mineral mine to be worked in the Lake District. Visit the processing mill on bookable open days.
Lakeside Takeaway
Drinks, snacks and ice creams available on Derwent Water lakeshore by the boat landings. Just a five-minute walk from Keswick.
Things to see and do
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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.
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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.
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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
Trail
Derwent Water and Cockshot wood accessible loop
A short circular accessible route along Derwent Water lakeshore through Cockshot Wood
Trail
Accessible trail to Broomhill Point viewpoint
An out-and-back accessible route along Derwent Water lakeshore to the viewpoint at Broomhill Point
Outdoor activities
Activity
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
Top trails
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.
Trail
Castle Crag from Seatoller trail: the scenic route
If you'd like to climb Castle Crag in a more civilised way, try this walk that also provides great views across the valley.
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.
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.
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.
Trail
Peace How walk from High Brandelhow jetty
From High Brandelhow jetty, follow this gentle walk to Peace How – a hill dedicated to providing tranquility after the First World War, with views to Derwent Water and Castle Crag.
Trail
Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge walk
This walk takes you through the timeless beauty of the Borrowdale landscape and up to magnificent viewpoints which are spectacular in every season.
Trail
Borger Dalr geology walk
Discover more about the origins of Borrowdale on the Borger Dalr geology walk. If you are lucky, you may even see a red squirrel too.
Places to stay
Watendlath Bunkhouse
A rustic bunkhouse for those who want to spend more time exploring the fells, tarns and peaks of the Lake District.
Millbeck Towers
An impressive 18th-century carding mill, now a large six-bedroom escape perfect for family get-togethers.
Watergate Farm
Period features throughout in this spacious farmhouse on the shores of Loweswater.
Holme Wood Bothy
A ‘stone tent’ warmed by a log-burner, set just metres from the shores of Loweswater.
Great Langdale Campsite
In the dramatic Langdale valley, a natural playground of trails, summits, waterfalls and small lakes, all accessible on foot.
Wasdale Campsite
A mile from Wastwater, close to challenging bike trails and Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain.
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
Upcoming events
Event
Community coppicing days
Come and enjoy a day out in the Borrowdale Rainforest National Nature Reserve to help us with coppicing and take home some wood for gardening stakes, firewood or whatever you like.
Event
Force Crag Mine Open Day for GeoWeek (including transport)
Brought to you by the National Trust for GeoWeek. Come and join us for the rare opportunity to explore the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
Event
Force Crag Mine Open Day for GeoWeek
A rusty ‘tin shed’ beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this building is a tribute to human engineering and ingenuity, and it has a powerful story to tell about humanity’s impact on the planet.
Event
Paddleboard taster sessions
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake and maybe try something new.
Event
Open Day at Force Crag Mine for the Festival of Archaeology (including transport)
Brought to you by the National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
Event
Open Day at Force Crag Mine for the Festival of Archaeology
Brought to you by National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for the rare opportunity to explore the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
Event
Heritage Open Day at the processing mill at Force Crag Mine (including transport)
Brought to you by the National Trust for Heritage Open Days, come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
Event
Heritage Open Day at the processing mill at Force Crag Mine
Brought to you by the National Trust for Heritage Open Days, come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
About Borrowdale and Derwent Water
Derwent Water is often called the 'Queen of the Lakes', and as you canoe along the shore with your camera at the ready it's easy to see why. As Borrowdale winds the 7 miles from Keswick to Seathwaite, there are eight National Trust car parks from which you can start your adventure into the fells.
At the south end of Derwent Water, the boardwalk across the wetlands makes the 9-mile circular waymarked walk around the lake a very pleasant leg stretch, with the chance to see otters and wetland birds if you're lucky. With trails through the Atlantic Oakwoods or up into the jaws of Borrowdale, the valley has something for everyone. And don't miss Force Crag Mine - a hidden gem at the foot of a waterfall in Coledale near Braithwaite.
History
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History in the Borrowdale valley
The Bowder Stone, Borrowdale Yews and Castlerigg stone circle have stood watching the Borrowdale valley evolve around them. Discover the history of these ancient residents.
Our work
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Our work in Borrowdale
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.
Project
Project
Borrowdale Rainforest National Nature Reserve
Find out more about the work we are doing to look after the Borrowdale Temperate Rainforest and why it has been declared a new National Nature Reserve.
Project
Project
Riverlands: working to restore Cumbria's waterways
Find out more about the work the National Trust is doing with local partners, tenant farmers and other landowners in the area to help restore the Cumbria's rivers.
Foundation for Commons Land and the Upland Commons Project
Did you know that along with farmers and other commoners, we look after approximately 16,000 hectares of common land in the North and West Lake District? This includes the Derwent common in the Borrowdale valley. Click here to learn more about the Upland Commons Project, the history of commoning and what we are doing to make sure these important stretches of land continue to support people, livestock and wildlife as they have done for centuries.
Derwent Invasives Partnership (DIP)
The Derwent Invasives Partnership was set up in 2022 to better coordinate the invasive non-native species management, prevention and awareness raising efforts of partners across the Derwent Catchment including the National Trust and the West Cumbria Rivers Trust. Learn more about what we are doing to look after our waterways and wetlands here.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Borrowdale and Derwent Water.