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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 LessBassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
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Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
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Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…
A special day requires a special place and at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa we understand this…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…
A special day requires a special place and at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa we understand this…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 190
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Braithwaite, Keswick
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.
Force Cragg Mine was…
Keswick
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the country's best views. Our locally-sourced produce helps us create delicious dishes to complement the fantastic views, making it truly an experience to…
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
Cumbria
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is the picture perfect hamlet of Watendlath. It sits nestling in a glacier-carved hollow beside the mirrored waters of a tarn and surrounded by trees,…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Keswick
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We have a range of comfortably furnished rooms all with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities and serve an excellent breakfast.
Keswick
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our world famous products with something to suit all ages and interests. Renowned across the globe for generations of the highest quality pencils, the…
Braithwaite, Keswick
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. Before closing in…
Keswick
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie movies, and live-streamed theatre, ballet and music.
Keswick
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens. The perfect base for a relaxing break exploring the town and further afield, the hotel offers…
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,…
Keswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
Keswick
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
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…
St Johns in the Vale, Keswick
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and casting tuition for individuals, groups, and corporate clients. Featured on TV with our friend Matt Hayes and on the BBC and ITV News.
Keswick
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with immediate access to superb walks and forest trails. Located on a lower slope of Skiddaw mountain.
Keswick
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes, triathlons, live music, outdoor brands & more in the stunning Lake District. Book now!
Keswick
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes, triathlons, live music, outdoor brands & more in the stunning Lake District. Book now!
Keswick
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass bearing? Come along on our intermediate navigation course to find out how.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Worm Moon in Virgo invites us to release what no longer serves us and create space for healing, growth, and spiritual alignment. Traditionally known as the Worm Moon, this is the time when the earth begins to thaw, and new life begins to…
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