Derwentwater
About
Derwentwater is often called the most beautiful lake in the Lake District — and it's hard to argue. Ringed by dramatic fells (Skiddaw, Cat Bells, Borrowdale's crags), studded with wooded islands, and fed by the cascading waters of Lodore Falls, it has a varied, intimate beauty that larger Windermere can't match. The lake is three miles long and the circular walk around it (about 10 miles) is one of the finest low-level walks in the national park. The Keswick Launch runs regular boat services to seven landing stages around the lake, making it easy to combine boat trips with walks — hop off at Hawse End for Cat Bells, at Lodore for the falls and Borrowdale, or at Nichol End for a flat walk back to Keswick. Kayaks, canoes, and rowing boats are available for hire. The views from the lake's eastern shore — across the water to Cat Bells and the Newlands Valley — are among the most photographed in the Lakes. Friars' Crag, a promontory near the Keswick landing stage, was described by John Ruskin as one of the three most beautiful scenes in Europe. Come at dawn for mirror-calm reflections, or on a stormy day for dramatic clouds rolling over the fells.
https://www.keswick-launch.co.uk/ 017687 72263
Tickets & Pricing
Lake free. Launch round-trip: Adult £12.75, Child £6.50. Boat hire from £12/hour.
Opening Times
Open 24 hours. Keswick Launch: daily from 10:00 (seasonal schedule).
Popular Nearby
Theatre by the Lake
Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ
World-class theatre on the shores of Derwentwater — stunning productions with fell views from the foyer. Keswick's cultural jewel....
Theatre
From £18.00
Honister Slate Mine
Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5XN
England's last working slate mine — go deep inside the mountain, then climb the cliff face on a Via Ferrata with heart-stopping valley views....
Quirky & Unusual, Historical
From £19.50
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4RN
3000 BC stones on a fell-ringed plateau — older than Stonehenge, free to touch, and with the most spectacular setting of any stone circle in Britain....
Historical, Nature & Outdoors
Free
Whinlatter Forest
Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5TW
England's only mountain forest — red squirrels, mountain biking, Go Ape, and wild play among the fells. The Lakes' best family adventure....
Nature & Outdoors, Kids & Family
Free
Cat Bells
Cat Bells, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5UE
The perfect first fell — 451 metres of pure Lakeland drama, with views that rival mountains twice the height. Your gateway to the fells....
Nature & Outdoors
Free
What people are saying about this
Invite your friends by email, any users that already have an account will be sent a friend request.