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, 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.
Fun facts and tantalising trivia about Bassenthwaite. Click for more details.
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Maple Bank is a magnificent Edwardian residence in the quiet valley of Braithwaite enjoying…
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to…
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the…
An elegant 18th century country house hotel set in its own extensive grounds in the stunning…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride…
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest. Each loop is…
A high-flying adventure for all the family… Raised in the Indian jungle, Mowgli the man cub spends…
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest.…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station…
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
The world's most famous detective gets a hilarious makeover in this spectacularly theatrical…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Enchanting evenings of music in the forest, with floor spots, special guests and an informal…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Heritage Open Days. Come and join us for a rare…
Low Briery Holiday Park is situated just outside Keswick, in a beautiful wooded valley in the…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 162
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Threlkeld, Keswick
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout North West Cumbria. It is one of the oldest brass bands in the world, with roots traceable back to 1825, which is thought to make them the second oldest…
Keswick
Maple Bank is a magnificent Edwardian residence in the quiet valley of Braithwaite enjoying uninterrupted views across the Derwent Valley towards Skiddaw and Latrigg. We are only 2 miles from Keswick.
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Keswick
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the picturesque village of Portinscale, just a 20-minute walk from Keswick.
Ireby
An elegant 18th century country house hotel set in its own extensive grounds in the stunning northern Lake District. Luxury accommodation, award-winning food and genuine hospitality. Dogs welcome.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
681 reviewsHendersons Yard, Keswick
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works. Enjoy a sophisticated café culture serving local artisan coffee by Carvetti, speciality teas, handmade chocolates by Huttons of Windermere and some of…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
29 reviewsCumbria
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
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride around Swinside Fell. The
route is on country lanes which can sometimes be busy during peak periods.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest.
Each loop is approximately 4.16 miles long (replicating the distance of a Backyard Ultra). You can run continuously, to clock up as many miles as you can, or complete 1…
Lake Rd, Keswick
A high-flying adventure for all the family…
Raised in the Indian jungle, Mowgli the man cub spends his boyhood days running wild with his wolf friends and hunting with the pack.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest. At the shortest day, we take our lead from Mother Nature; slowing down our bodies and minds to the rhythm of the forest.
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.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and symbolises fertility, growth and change; blossoming into your fullest potential!
Calling in the elements & directions we cast a sacred circle to celebrate…
Cockermouth
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station buildings, with a level-access path along the former platform and through woodland teeming with wildlife. Serving interesting and fresh cafe food,…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With breath-taking views across the Lake District towards Keswick and Skiddaw this run won't disappoint those who love the Lakes. The runs are mainly on…
Lake Rd, Keswick
The world's most famous detective gets a hilarious makeover in this spectacularly theatrical comedy
A terrible murder, a terrifying family curse, a killer on the loose and a gigantic beast on the moor; this sounds like a case for Sherlock Holmes!…
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
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
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to plan and follow a route from a map.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
77 reviewsWhinlatter Pass, Keswick
Enchanting evenings of music in the forest, with floor spots, special guests and an informal session to round off the evening.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL