You are here: Home > Explore > Areas of Cumbria > Western Lakes & Coast > Towns and Villages > Buttermere
The Buttermere Valley is a classic Lakelands postcard: the blue ribbon lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater knotted together at the impossibly charming villages of Buttermere and Loweswater – like ‘a string of pearls each connected to the next.’ Between the pearls the flat green fields radiate outward and are enveloped by the encircling buttresses of Red Pike, High Stile, Fleetwith Pike, Robinson, Whiteless Pike, Grasmoor and Melbreak. It’s almost impossible not to get poetic about it.
Tiny Buttermere village – from the ‘lake by two pastures’ is made up of a few farms, some isolated houses, a chapel and, critically, two inns. Loweswater is similar, a scattering of farms and houses form a community held together by the twin magnets of its church and next-door hostelry. These traditional villages owe their continued existence to the National Trust, which owns much of the land and applies strict preservation orders to it. The only way into the valley by car is from the north via Cockermouth or through the snaking passes over Honister and Newlands Hause.
The classic u-shaped valley and ribbon lakes were carved by huge glaciers during the Ice Age. It’s though Buttermere and Crummock Water were once a single lake, but fluvial deposits from
from Sour Milk Gill and Sail Beck silted up the central section and created the rich grazing pastures that first attracted human settlement into the area.
Ancient remains can be found at Lanthwaite Green and at the northern end of Melbreak. A pele tower once looked out over Crummock Water (its earthworks still visible on the ground), while the small medieval hamlet and chapel at Rannerdale has all but disappeared. This hidden valley was a bulwark of resistance against the invading Normans in the 11th century, but is now better known for its spectacular display of bluebells in the spring.
Historically, it was cows rather than sheep that dominated the pasturelands. Gatesgarth Farm, at the foot of Fleetwith Pike, was once a medieval ‘vaccary' or dairy farm. Nowadays, it is one of the largest sheep farms in the area, raising flocks of Herdwicks and Swaledales on the vast acres of common land. Barley, oats and corn were also grown in the valley, with a corn mill (now the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere) crushing the grain to make flour.
The discovery of bands of attractive green slate at Honister opened up a new source of income for the locals. And while there was some opencast mining, much of it was done from within the mountain – Fleetwith Pike is still honeycombed with old workings accessed at different levels and linked by vertical shafts. The Honister mine closed in 1986 but reopened in 1997. It has since become an award-winning tourist attraction, with guided tours into subterranean workings and an exhilarating Via Ferrata course following the old miners’ vertiginous route to work.
Loweswater
Loweswater is a small hamlet situated between Loweswater and Crummock waters. It is home to The Kirkstile Inn which has been providing food and shelter for some 400 hundred years, and now has it's very own brewery.
Ennerdale
The Ennerdale Valley offers incredible walking opportunities and is home to the elequant Ennerdale Water. It offers you amazing opportunities for walking and cycling to explore this surrounding area.
Did you know?
the western lakes has a rich history, brilliantly told
Number of results: 28
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the only one of its type in England.
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over the valleys of the River Keekle and Dub Beck to distant villages and the rearing hills beyond.
Nestled in a wooded valley in the far west of the Lake District, in the Vale of Lorton, Loweswater is a peaceful lake that is often bypassed.
Wainwright described this part of the route as 'a walk in heaven'. You will be on higher terrain here and cover a number of the Lakeland Fells before reaching Grasmere, beloved village of artists and poets. This is a good place for an overnight stop…
Cockermouth
Hassness Country House is beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere.
Cumbria
This gentle lakeside walk is one of the most popular and best lakeside walks in the area with superb views in all directions. This walk is perfect for summer evenings or an afternoon stroll.
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the branches of a tree. All very different in character, these sub-valleys are interesting places to explore and can conveniently be used as thoroughfares for…
Cumbria
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get onto the ridge the walk along its craggy and boulder strewn crest is superb. The setting is magnificent with wide ranging views across Ennerdale to…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed little peak, but it nevertheless managed to resist the erosive forces of the valley glacier and remains today with its head high above the trees. A walk…
Loweswater
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and sycamore.
Cumbria
This modest mountain occupies an important position at the head of the Buttermere valley and is surrounded by a diverse and interesting range of peaks. To the south is the towering crags of the Pillar range whilst to the north is the slightly…
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile walk around the lake boasts impressive views.
Cumbria
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its giant west face it's a complex range of deep cut gills and valleys ringed by high crags and fine grassy ridges. Exploring this fine mountain is a…
Pillar (892m) lies at the head Mosedale and Ennerdale valleys and is named after, and famous for, the great butress of Pillar Rock.
Cockermouth
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this rugged corner of the lake district over 450 million years ago – its legacy today is honister green slate. With quality unique and bespoke gifts that last…
Borrowdale, Keswick
You’ve never experienced anything like this…
Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against the backdrop of the stunning Lake District mountains.
Climb up the massive Cargo net to one of the finest views of Lake District. Buttermere, Crummock…
Borrowdale, KESWICK
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery with our Infinity Bridge… so named because you are often unable to see the other end! Strung across a breathtaking gorge high up on the mountain, 2,000…
Crummock Water has unparalleled views. At 2.5 miles long, it is a clear, rocky bottomed lake flanked by steep fellsides of Skiddaw slate.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Looking for something memorable this summer? Experience the rich history of our underground mining tour first-hand!
Adventure deep into the mine through our underground tunnels and caverns and have a day you’ll never forget.
Our historic slate mine…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL