The Lake District TV
The Northern Lake District and Derwentwater Tour
The Northern Lakes including Keswick on Derwentwater covers one half of
the Lake District National Park. The landscape of this area is of spectacular
glaciated scenery, ranging from the rugged central volcanic mountains to
the smoother outlines and more open countryside. This area is ideal for
Tourist.
The Tour focuses on the Keswick area. This grey-stone Victorian town has lots going on for all ages. It's the tourist centre of the northern Lakes and has a distinct Victorian feel with small cobbled closes running off the main streets, there are many tourist information points in keswick.
Keswick's is near the beautiful lake of Derwent Water. With views that never quite look the same from one day to the next, Derwent Water is known as the "Queen of the Lakes". It is three miles in length and a little over a mile wide. There are three large wooded islands, the largest of which, Derwent Isle. It has gorgeous lakeside scenery, romantic little islets, ancient woodland, a variety of mountain backdrops - glorious shimmering reflections on still days.
From the A5271 towards Keswick's west end, take the B5289 Borrowdale road. This soon comes down to the lake shore. Just south of the town is a car park for Friar's Crag, where a short and easy walk up gives exquisite views of the lake.
Less than a mile further south on the B5289, a steep walk up through Great Wood on your left takes you to the rather more appreciable summit of Walla Crag, for high views over Derwent Water. This woodland often teems with red squirrels.
Two miles south of Keswick, a narrow dead-end lane on the left leads up to the lovely "lost village" of Watendlath, little more than a tarn (small lake). A little further on the B5289 are the Lodore Falls - amazing after rain.
On the far side, the road drops down past an active quarry into a scarcely populated valley, almost Scottish in its highland grandeur, with the little lakes of Buttermere and Crummock. The little village of Buttermere between the two, or Gatesgarth car park, are starting points for the level but constantly interesting 3 1/2 mile stroll around Buttermere lake. The path is splendidly varied, with glorious views, plenty of safe opportunities for children to let off steam, and even a short section of tunnel. There's also a pleasant walk from the car park by Lanthwaite Wood, off the B5289 towards Loweswater at the North end.
From Buttermere village take the steep little back road up towards the gauntly formidable Keskadale Pass. This road is highly scenic, climbing through a range of smoothly grassy, slatey fells. After four miles you drop down into the stately woodlands of tranquil Newlands valley, once busy with mining activity.
If bad weather makes the Keskadale Pass an unattractive prospect, stay on the B5289 past Buttermere. In just under 4 miles turn left for the diversion to Loweswater. Back on the B5289, you pass through the gentler pastures of Lorton Vale to Cockermouth. This classic riverside country town, birthplace of Wordsworth, is quietly attractive, and increasingly worth a holiday visit, with a good wide range of places to visit. The comfortable Trout does good food.