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You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Bassenthwaite
The national nature reserve of Bassenthwaite Lake is a tranquil finger of water sitting in the lofty shadow of Skiddaw. This wildlife-rich body of water is fringed with a mosaic of reed beds, fen marshland, woodlands and wildflower meadows, and is perhaps best known for the spectacular sight of ospreys diving into the waters for fish. A new lottery-funded scheme, Bassenthwaite Reflections, is helping to protect the lake’s vulnerable plant and animal life through community involvement.
The peaceful village of Bassenthwaite, centred on its old inn, sits in a quiet valley at the north end of the lake. To the south is Mirehouse, an 18th century house and garden with literary links to Tennyson, Coleridge and Wordsworth.
The earliest known settlement is at Castle How,...Read More
The national nature reserve of Bassenthwaite Lake is a tranquil finger of water sitting in the lofty shadow of Skiddaw. This wildlife-rich body of water is fringed with a mosaic of reed beds, fen marshland, woodlands and wildflower meadows, and is perhaps best known for the spectacular sight of ospreys diving into the waters for fish. A new lottery-funded scheme, Bassenthwaite Reflections, is helping to protect the lake’s vulnerable plant and animal life through community involvement.
The peaceful village of Bassenthwaite, centred on its old inn, sits in a quiet valley at the north end of the lake. To the south is Mirehouse, an 18th century house and garden with literary links to Tennyson, Coleridge and Wordsworth.
The earliest known settlement is at Castle How, an Iron Age hill fort on the western shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Christianity in the middle of the 6th century that mankind’s deeper footprint became visible. Saint Saint Kentigern is believed to have preached at Crosthwaite (east of Keswick) in AD 556 while a few years later Saint Bega is thought to have founded a church bearing her name on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake – even if the current church only dates to around AD950.
Bassenthwaite village probably got its name from the Vikings who settled here after chopping down a few trees. After 1066, the whole area came under the rule of the Earls of Egremont, with the Manor of Bassenthwaite now part of the Barony of Allerdale. The locals made their living from farming and fishing, but also did some mining and some weaving from the wool of Herdwick sheep: the area became known for a rough-spun, undyed cloth known as ‘Skiddaw Grey.’ Over time the weaving process became mechanised and several mills were built, including one at Millbeck on the flanks of Skiddaw that produced large large quantities of caps, blankets and flannels for export to slave plantations in the Americas.
Nearby Mirehouse has been owned by the Spedding family since 1802. During the early 19th century, the house became a literary hotbed for the Lake poets – William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey and Thomas Carlyle. Alfred Tennyson stayed here in 1835 and composed the lines on Excalibur for Morte d’Arthur whilst sitting on the lakeshore.
The construction of the railway line between Penrith and Cockermouth in 1864 brought Victorian tourists in their droves, all eager to enjoy the wild scenery around Keswick and Bassenthwaite so lyrically described by Wordsworth and the other Lake poets. Most of the area’s older hotels and guesthouses date from this time.
Whinlatter - Whinlatter is England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level, the forest and visitor centre provides a whole range of outdoor activities for everyone. Start at the visitor centre where the staff will give information and help plan your day.
Keswick - It's central location makes Keswick the perfect place to stay when planning to explore the Lake District. The town is surrounded famous Lakeland hills such has Grizedale Pike, Skiddaw and Catbells.
Skiddaw - Skiddaw dominates Bassenthwaite Lake and at 931 metres it is one of the largest peaks in the Lake District.
This mountain is one of the oldest formations in the Lake District (and indeed in Europe). This fell is also an extinct Volcano.
The glacial waters of Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater were once joined together as one long lake until river-borne deposits from the rivers Derwent, Greta and Pow Beck silted up the central section to form two separate bodies of water. Both lakes are the shallowest in the Lake District, with an average depth of only 5.5 m (18 ft).
In 1783 the newly appointed Bishop of Derry was on his way to Whitehaven to take a boat to Ireland. He stopped for the night at an inn beside Bassenthwaite Lake and, after consuming several drinks, wagered that he could ride his pony to the top of Barf, a nearby hill. Halfway up the pony stumbled at a large rock and fell, killing both horse and rider. The large rock (known as Bishop Rock) is painted white in remembrance of this futile act, while at the foot of the slope is another white-painted rock known as The Clerk where the bishop and his pony were buried.
In the early 1800s, one of the finest Celtic swords ever found in Britain was discovered in a field near Wythop Mill. The sword and its highly decorated sheath are now on display in the British Museum.
Alfred Tennyson stayed at Mirehouse, Bassenthwaite in 1835 and composed the lines on Excalibur for Morte d’Arthur whilst sitting on the lakeshore. It is said that the lake was a model for the lake into which Excalibur was thrown. A memorial stone depicting the sword and a hand rising from the water, erected by the Tennyson Society, stands by the lake shore.
Read LessThe Orient Express Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Carriage Cafe offers a unique…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. …
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Watch the latest movies, book a film that means something special to you and your guests, or bring…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage. When it comes to the…
The Orient Express Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Carriage Cafe offers a unique…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. …
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Watch the latest movies, book a film that means something special to you and your guests, or bring…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage. When it comes to the…
The Orient Express Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Carriage Cafe offers a unique…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 191
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd Wood & Grizedale Forest. The perfect location for you to enjoy stunning scenery and a fully marked course on forest roads and trails.
This…
Keswick
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this triathlon-style team challenge. Combining biking, hiking, and paddling, teams of two or four will race from dawn to dusk, pushing their limits across…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power. Leo, the radiant fire sign ruled by the Sun, invites us to step into our full glory and celebrate our individuality. Traditionally known as the Snow…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, stop for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo from JAG Outdoors can…
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National Park with the vision of producing a world class single malt whisky and a global brand that is recognised and respected around the world
Braithwaite, Keswick
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025?
Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon. With breath-taking views across the Lake District towards Keswick and Skiddaw this run won't disappoint those who love the Lakes. These are…
Threlkeld, Keswick
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. Expect to find a wide range of annuals, perennials, vegetable seedlings, herbs, grasses, shrubs, house plants and more, all grown by local gardeners and at…
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Keswick
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre. Let it be your base at the heart of the walking capital of the lakes.
Keswick
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and Latrigg.
Lake Rd, Keswick
A gripping tale of friendship and hope.
Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters bound together by a shared faith and the ambition to live the great American dream. Landing a job on a Californian ranch during the Great Depression,…
Cumbria
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are crossed by the Old Coach Road. This old track links Dockray with St John's in the Vale and provides an exciting high-level mountain bike route. The riding…
Braithwaite
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite apartments, and an old village shop & tea room on the ground floor. Our aim is to pay homage to village life and keep it alive here in Braithwaite; whilst also…
KESWICK
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site for this church commands superb views of the surrounding Lakeland hills.
Keswick
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie movies, and live-streamed theatre, ballet and music.
Cumbria
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do not attract the crowds as do their southern neighbours. Great sweeps of open fells dominate the landscape relieved only by the becks. Penetrating this…
Cumbria
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a mountain simple as that, with steep slopes and a summit. It might lack the drama of the great crags of its peers, and its open flanks hold no secrets…
Lake Rd, Keswick
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring theatre company desperately trying to maintain their composure and regain any shred of credibility.
From their frantic last-minute rehearsals in…
Keswick
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instruction and life jackets for everyone on board. Keswick Launch also offers 50-minute cruises…
Coniston
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
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