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Northern Lake District

A visit to the Lake District based in Keswick Read more
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    Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    Moot Hall
    Moot Hall, from behindThe Alhambra CinemaSt John's ChurchKeswick War MemorialThe Theatre by the LakeView of Catbells from the top of Stanger Road, where we stayedCastlerigg Stone CircleCastlerigg Stone Circle, with Skiddaw in the backgroundCastlerigg Stone CircleCastlerigg Stone CircleView from Castlerigg Stone Circle

    Keswick town and Castlerigg Stone Circle

    May 23 in England ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    We leave Keswick today for Hawes in North Yorkshire; the first part of the footprint photos shows some of the key sites in Keswick (see captions on photos for details).

    Castlerigg Stone Circle is a short walk from Keswick, but we drive here en route to Hawes; the location is atmospheric, with panoramic views around the Thirlmere Valley and the surrounding mountains. Castlerigg Stone Circle dates from about 3,000 BC and is 97 ft (30 metres) in diameter and now comprises 38 stones.

    Keswick and the surrounding area have been excellent (the good weather has helped), and we will certainly be back here.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    View over Borrowdale
    En route; Eagle Crag behind HelenView over Stonethwaite BeckView over Stonethwaite Beck towards Eagle CragLangstrath Valley; view over Langstrath Beck to the ruins of Johnny HouseLangstrath ValleyLangstrath Valley; Blea RockLangstrath Valley; the route up to Blackmoss Pot, a bathing / dipping opportunity for someLangstrath ValleyThe footbridge over the beck to the other side of the Langstrath ValleyView from the bridgeView back over Langstrath BeckView up Langstrath Valley, walking back on the other sideLangstrath ValleyView over Stonethwaite BeckView from Stonethwaite BridgeThe Wainwright in Keswick

    The Langstrath Valley

    May 22 in England ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    The walk today is noted for being a lower level valley walk but offers beautiful fell and typical lakeland views without a lot of ascent.

    We take the Borrowdale bus again back to Rosthwaite; here, we join the Cumbria Way to follow the path along Stonethwaite Beck, passing the hamlet of Stonethwaite on the other side. The steep woodland along the dry stonewalls on our left ends, and we carry on to reach Galleny Force; unfortunately, the dry weather recently means that the waterfall is very quiet - the river bed is filled with boulders. We cross the Beck here to follow the Cumbria Way along Langstrath Beck as it winds along Langstrath Valley (Langstrath means Long Valley).

    It is very beautiful, we have Eagle Crag on our left rising above us and we soon pass the ruins of the Johnny House on the other side. We pass the impressive Blea Rock and eventually cross a footbridge over Langstrath Beck to retrace our route on the other side of the valley. Where we turn back towards Rosthwaite at the end of Langstrath Valley, we follow a pretty footpath along Stonethwaite Beck back to Stonethwaite. Here, we cross over Stonethwaite Bridge and walk back along the Cumbria Way to Rosthwaite.

    It's been lovely weather again for our 9.5-mile walk. Later on, we enjoy a couple of beers and a pub meal at The Wainwright in Keswick.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    The Bowder Stone; 30 ft high and 2,000 tons in weight
    On the Bowder StoneA cubic shaped boulder entering the walk around Grange FellView over to Maiden Moor from Grange FellView of Troutdale cottages with Derwentwater and Skiddaw in the backgroundBorrowdale, from Grange BridgeView of Derwentwater en route to Castle CragNearing Castle CragEntering the walk up to Castle CragAt the top of Castle Crag; Derwentwater behindAt the top of Castle Crag; Borrowdale behindAt the top of Castle Crag; BorrowdaleAt the top of Castle Crag; view towards RosthwaiteAt the top of Castle Crag; the memorial to Borrowdale men who fell in WWIDescending Castle CragView back to Castle Crag en route to SeatollerEn route to SeatollerEn route to RosthwaiteNearing Rosthwaite

    Grange to Rosthwaite via Castle Crag

    May 21–24 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We take the bus from Keswick to just south of Grange, to the stop for the Bowder Stone. This is one of the most famous rocks in the Lake District and weighs 2,000 tons; it is 30 ft high, 30 ft across, and 90 ft in circumference. From here, we follow the route around Grange Fell, passing a cubic shaped boulder and an old quarry before reaching Comb Gill en route to Troutdale Cottages. We follow the road a short distance to Grange Bridge and then, from Grange village, walk via Holmcrag Wood to join the Cumbria Way to Borrowdale (as yesterday) for a short way before turning off to take the path to Seatoller via Castle Crag.

    Castle Crag is an impressive slate hill overlooking Derwentwater; the other side of the hill is where we were yesterday, at the High Hows Quarry and the Millican Dalton Cave. The top of Castle Crag offers magnificent views of the surrounding area and has a memorial to the Borrowdale men who fell in WWI. The slate makes it a tough ascent and descent.

    We then carry on the route to Seatoller, crossing several gills en route. From the small village of Seatoller, the path to Rosthwaite is actually part of the coast-to-coast walk. We eventually reach Rosthwaite to take the bus back to Keswick.

    Surprisingly, it has been a walk of 1,854 ft ascent and 8.3 miles in length, and the weather has been fantastic again..    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    1View of Derwentwater en route to Catbells
    View of Bassenthwaite LakeView on the west sideGoing up CatbellsView downAt the summit of CatbellsAt the topView down to Friars CragView down to the southern end of DerwentwaterDescending Catbells towards ManstyView east towards Grange VillageEn route to Hollows FarmThe River Derwent in BorrowdaleNear the disused High Hows quarryMillican Dalton's CaveThe disused High Hows quarry areaThe River Derwent - totally dry hereNew Bridge, en route to RosthwaiteStepping stones over the River DerwentStepping stones over the River Derwent

    Portinscale to Rosthwaite via Catbells

    May 20 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The plan to take the bus to Catbells, the third of the Keswick 3 peaks, was thwarted due to ongoing roadwork, so we had to get off at Portinscale after a diversion there; it just means a longer walk!

    We repeat the Portinscale to Hawes End part from yesterday and start ascending Catbells from the cattle grid stop (where we should have got off). The ascent via Skelgill Bank is fairly steep, but there are great views on another lovely day. We reach the top; it is 1,480 feet above sea level, and one of the most popular fell walks in the Lake District with fabulous views.

    We carry on along the fell and then descend to the southern end of Derwentwater and Manesty Park. We proceed along the edge of Maiden Moor, enjoying views of Bull Crag and High Spy, towards Grange. Here, we join the Cumbria Way, eventually passing Hollows Farm before turning down towards the River Derwent and Borrowdale.

    The Valley is very scenic, and we come yo a disused quarry area for slate with a cave. The River Derwent is devoid of water in parts (it has not rained heavily for a while, which is unusual in the Lake District) after we leave the woods. We reach what is known as New Bridge and cross the river, following the Cumbria Way to Rosthwaite to catch the bus back to Keswick.

    It's been another lovely walk in great weather; 9.1 miles and a total of 2,139 feet of ascent.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    View of Catbells en route to Portinscale
    Suspended footbridge over the River DerwentLlamas in a field at Alpacaly ever after, an enterprise near KeswickOtterbield BayView of CatbellsView over Derwentwater from the west shoreTeddy in the Window, who has lived in a garage on the edge of Derwentwater for over 30 yearsView of Latrigg and Walla Crag from the bridge over the River DerwentSkiddaw, Latrigg, and Walla Crag in the backgroundCatbells viewed from the east shoreWalla Crag viewed from Barrow BayAshness Gate landing stage, with Catbells in the backgroundView from Catclose Bay of "the jaws of Borrowdale", the southern end of DerwentwaterFriars Crag; the poet John Ruskin MemorialFriars Crag; view of Lord's Island

    Derwentwater Lake Circuit

    May 19 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    The plan today is to walk around Derwentwater; we head down Keswick Main Street and cross the bridge over the River Greta before turning off to join the Cumbria Way as it runs along the west shore of Derwentwater; the Cumbria Way is a linear 70 mile walk that connects the towns of Carlisle and Ulverston. We walk towards Portinscale and then follow it to Hawes End Jetty; this is the landing stage for the main walk to Catbells, another of the Keswick 3 peaks.

    We follow the Cumbria Way to Otterbield Bay, and on past the two Brandelhow landing stages to Manesty Park at the southern end of the lake. We leave the Cumbria Way here and carry on to the cross the River Derwent again; there are great views of Catbells and Walla Crag from here. From Lodore, we walk northwards towards Keswick via the edge of woodlands to Barrow Bay and on to Ashness Gate landing stage (more great views). We then proceed via Calfclose Bay and Stable Hills to Friars Crag, named for its use as a disembarkment point for monks, making a pilgrimage to St Herbert's Island. It is a short walk back to Keswick from here; it has been a lovely 10.6-mile walk.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    View of Derwentwater and Catbells en route to Rakefoot
    View of Latrigg and Skiddaw going up to Walla CragView of Keswick going up to Walla CragView of Derwentwater from the top of Walla CragTop of Walla CragView of the southern part of Derwentwater heading to Falcon CragView of SkiddawAshness Bridge, a packhorse bridgeAshness Bridge, a packhorse bridgeOld barn near Ashness BridgeView en route heading towards Surprise ViewWoodland path up to Surprise ViewDerwentwater from Surprise ViewWatendlath BeckRedcastle Crag viewed across Watendlath BeckWatendlath packhorse bridgeWatendlath TarnEn route to Rosthwaite

    Keswick to Rosthwaite, via Walla Crag

    May 18 in England ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    This walk takes us up to Walla Crag, also one of the Keswick three peaks.

    We walk up via Moot Hall in Keswick Market Square and up past St John's Church before following Springs Road to Springs Farm, and then up through Springs Wood to Rakefoot. There are good views as we walk up past Great Wood to Walla Crag, but even better views from the viewing area at the top of Walla Crag!

    We leave here and follow the path towards Falcon Crag and then down to Ashness Bridge; this is a small, traditional packhorse bridge and very photogenic. From here, there is a narrow road through the woods up to Surprise View, named for its lovely view of Derwentwater. We turn off the road and follow a broad track through the woods, and at the end, we walk along the Watendlath Beck, which takes us to the small hamlet of Watendlath, managed by the National Trust. It is situated by an attractive Tarn and also noted for its packhorse bridge.

    We then follow a very stony and undulating bridleway towards Rosthwaite to catch the bus back to Keswick. It's been a lovely walk of 9.8 miles (according to the OS app on my mobile).    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNorthern Lake DistrictTraveler
    The old Keswick Railway Station
    View down the River GretaRiver Greta towards the fellsView en routeView en routeView of remote farmhouseDerwent Water from LatriggDerwent Water from LatriggView of Skiddaw from LatriggView of Catbells from LatriggView of Walla Crag from LatriggView of River Greta from Fitz Park on the way back to Keswick centre1Keswick Brewery; The Fox Tap and Beer Shop

    Latrigg Fell Circular Walk

    May 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    We arrived yesterday in Keswick to spend a week in the Lake District, this time in the northern area. Keswick is a market town in Cumbria, just north of Derwent Water.

    Latrigg (Fell) is one of the lowest fells in the Lake District, and one of the Keswick "3 Peaks" - the others are Walla Crag and Catbells - which surround Derwent Water. By coincidence, this weekend is the annual Keswick Mountain Festival, which features various outdoor adventures, speakers, and live music; one event is the sponsored 3 peaks hike, a figure of 8 walk around Derwent Water, covering Catbells and Walla Crag, and then around and up Latrigg. We see a number of entrants on this 17.5-mile hike as we do our 1 Peak circular walk!

    We start at the Moot Hall in Keswick and cross the River Greta to Fitz Park before heading east via the trail along the old Keswick to Threlkeld railway line. After a while, we pass under the A66 and recross the River Greta, leaving the railway trail, to walk along a forested path. We eventually turn to walk up Latrigg, enjoying magnificent views on the way to, and at, the top of Latrigg (1,203 feet). From the top, it's down via Mallen Dodd, and then the Cumbria Way back to Keswick.

    It's been a lovely 7.6-mile walk in fine weather; a drink at the Keswick Brewery and its Fox Tap and Beer Shop is well justified!    Read more

    Trip start
    May 17, 2025
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