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Bassenthwaite The Lake District
Bassenthwaite The Lake District

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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.

Culture & Heritage

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.

Surrounding Areas

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.

Did you know?

GLACIAL WATERS

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).

THE BISHOP OF BARF

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.

CELTIC SWORDS

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

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.

Highlights

Outside In

Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…

Lake District Cycling Holidays - The Carter Company

Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…

Derwentwater at The Lingholm Estate

Derwentwater is a stunning first-floor apartment created from the former billiards room on the…

Skiddaw via Longside Edge

A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…

Lyzzick

Discover Lyzzick, our four-star independent hotel in the heart of the Lake District hills.

Three Musketeers Live Outdoor Theatre

Join us for a fun-filled evening of live outdoor theatre with The Three Musketeers performed at the…

Old Coach Road

The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…

Full Moon Women's Circle – Grain Moon

Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…

Wild Things at Whinlatter Adventure Club

A summer of fun awaits at Whinlatter Forest! Let your little one go wild in the summer holidays…

Skiddaw at The Lingholm Estate

One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house and steeped in history,…

Lake District Walking Holidays - The Carter Company

Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…

Castlerigg Hall - Camping and Touring Pitches

Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the…

Keepers Cottage at The Lingholm Estate

Keepers Cottage was lovingly rebuilt in 2016 and now offers stylish four-bedroom accommodation with…

Borrowdale at The Lingholm Estate

Tucked beneath the eaves of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, our charming Borrowdale…

Lakeside Café Restaurant

Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…

Couples Massage Tutorial with Lake District School of Massage

Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache?…

Watendlath

Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…

Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges

5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.

Keswick Brewery Shop

Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans,  local gins and cider, merchandise and beer…

Lake Cruises on Derwentwater with Keswick Launch Co.

Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…

Carriage Café at Bassenthwaite Lake Station

The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly…

Bassenthwaite Lake

Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…

Pinocchio Live Outdoor Theatre

Join us for a fun-filled evening of live outdoor theatre with Pinocchio performed to the stunning…

The Cottage in the Wood

Our Michelin Star restaurant offers a delicious tasting menu, created by Chef Jack Bond using the…

The Lake District Where modern tourism was born

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Couples Massage Tutorial with Lake District School of Massage

Address

Lakeland Wellbeing, 3 The Heads, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5ES

Telephone
0800 086 2644

hello@lakedistrictschoolofmassage.co.uk

Keswick

Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache? With this tutorial you learn an easy, effective home treatment, ideal for soothing tense shoulders.

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Tourism For All

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5 reviews
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Whinlatter Running Trails

Address

Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

Telephone
017687 78469

whinlatter@forestryengland.uk

Braithwaite, Keswick

Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to explore. Each junction is marked with a numbered post which is shown on the Forest guide map making it easy to create your own route.

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Full Moon Women's Circle – Blue Moon

Address

Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

Telephone
+447810890528

jen@lakelandwellbeing.co.uk

Braithwaite, Keswick

Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District
The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection, release, and renewal. At our special forest site in the Lake District, we gather in circle as women to honour the peak of the Moon's cycle and reconnect…

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Hemmingways Angling Adventures

Address

Hemmingways Angling Adventures, c/o Shundraw, St Johns in the Vale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RR

Telephone
017687 78575

eric@hemmingwaysfish.co.uk

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.

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Brun Lea Guest House

Address

Brun Lea Guest House, 1-3 Stanger St, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JU

Telephone
017687 74247

brunlea@live.com

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.

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Lake View at The Lingholm Estate

Address

The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Cumbria, CA12 5TZ

Telephone
017687 74238

stay@thelingholmestate.co.uk

Portinscale

One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, Lake View exudes understated luxury. Once the private rooms of Lord Rochdale, the impressive main living space is now beautifully arranged in an open-plan design, incorporating a…

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515 reviews
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Landscape Photography Full day workshop

Address

Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

Telephone
0782729869

steveblakephotography@gmail.com

Braithwaite, Keswick

Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment.

Full day workshops are designed for those looking to take their photography to the next level and learn how to get the most out of your photography equipment, be that an iPad or…

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Bramblewood Cottage Guest House

Address

2 Greta Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4HS

Telephone
017687 75918

info@bramblewoodkeswick.com

Keswick

A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and Latrigg.

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Coledale Round

Address

Keswick, Cumbria

Cumbria

Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but unlike others it has no habitation. In fact the only obvious sign of human presence is the remains of the old barytes mine at the valley head and the…

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Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges

Address

Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QZ

Telephone
01768776641

enquiries@blll.co.uk

Keswick

5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.

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Forest Bathing & Wellbeing in Nature Walk – Summer

Address

Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

Telephone
+447810890528

jen@lakelandwellbeing.co.uk

Braithwaite, Keswick

Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply.
Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a 3-hour guided forest bathing experience with Hannah, inspired by Shinrin-yoku – the Japanese practice of restoring wellbeing through mindful connection…

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Sally's Cottages

Address

7 St John's Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5AP

Telephone
017687 80571

sally@sallyscottages.co.uk

Keswick

Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick with 500 self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria, including over 700 dog-friendly cottages.

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The Lodge at The Lingholm Estate

Address

The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Cumbria, CA12 5TZ

Telephone
017687 74238

stay@thelingholmestate.co.uk

Portinscale

The Lodge is a spacious five-bedroom retreat set within its own private garden at The Lingholm Estate, offering comfort, privacy, and plenty of room to unwind. Designed with togetherness in mind, The Lodge is perfect for large families or groups of…

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515 reviews
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Carriage Café at Bassenthwaite Lake Station

Address

Bassenthwaite Lake Station, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9YL

Telephone
017687 76599

info@basslakestation.co.uk

Cockermouth

The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly unique experience that is not to be missed by locomotive lovers, film enthusiasts and foodies alike! Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas are catered for…

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St. John's Church, Keswick

Address

Ambleside Road, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 4DD

Telephone
01768 775855

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.

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The Lakes Distillery

Address

The Lakes Distillery, Nr Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria, CA13 9SJ

Telephone
017687 88850

info@lakesdistillery.com

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

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Hot Fingers

Address

Threlkeld Village Hall, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RX

Telephone
+447931679654

events@threlkeld.org

Keswick

Vintage acoustic jazz music from 1920's New York and sophisticated 1930's Swing. Plus the sound of the king of gypsy swing Django Reinhardt, the blues guitars of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, and the syncopated Latin rhythms of Argentinean Oscar…

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Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa

Address

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, B5291, Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, CA12 4RE

Telephone
017687 76551

reservations@armathwaite-hall.com

Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite

The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed bedrooms, wood panelled public rooms, real log fire, Lake View Restaurant, six conference rooms, croquet lawn, tennis courts and spa facility.

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Full Moon Women's Circle – Grain Moon

Address

Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

Telephone
+447810890528

jen@lakelandwellbeing.co.uk

Braithwaite, Keswick

Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District
The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection, release, and renewal. At our special forest site in the Lake District, we gather in circle as women to honour the peak of the Moon's cycle and reconnect…

More Details

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Keswick Mountain Festival

Address

Crow Park, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ

Keswick

Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (15-17 May 2026) with trail runs, hikes, triathlons, live music, outdoor brands & more in the stunning Lake District. Book now!

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Bassenthwaite

Culture & Heritage

Surrounding Areas

Did you know?

GLACIAL WATERS

THE BISHOP OF BARF

CELTIC SWORDS

ALFRED TENNYSON

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