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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

Skiddaw via Sale How

The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…

Bird of Prey Experience at The Lake District Wildlife Park

An unique opportunity for anyone over 16 years old. After enjoying a Bird of Prey flying display…

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,…

Borrowdale Tour

An 18.7 miles (30.2km) circular cycling route around Borrowdale, taking in spectacular scenery and…

The Lakes Distillery

The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…

Svayti Duo by Candlelight

Vivaldi - Sonata No.6 in B flat RV46 Elgar - Chanson de Matin Fauré - Après un Rêve Saint-Saëns -…

Embleton Spa Hotel

Originally an 18th Century Lakeland farm house, the Embleton Spa Hotel is a relaxed, informal hotel…

Skiddaw & Thirlmere

From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to…

Birdsong guided walk

Join our volunteer ranger and bird enthusiast on a gentle stroll through the forest. Suitable for…

The Cottage in the Wood

We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…

Lakeside Café Restaurant

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

Elva Plain Stone Circle

The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40…

Emergence: Ravel and Elgar

Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival Nadejda String Quartet | Resol String…

Blencathra

Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…

The Spirit of the Guitar

Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Rossini Sinfonia from…

Hemmingways Angling Adventures

Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…

The Lodge at The Lingholm Estate

The Lodge is a spacious five-bedroom retreat set within its own private garden at The Lingholm…

Swinside Circuit

This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride…

Conferences at The Lingholm Estate

At The Lingholm Estate, we know how valuable strong connections are within a team. Our Corporate…

Lake View at The Lingholm Estate

One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, Lake View exudes understated…

Full Moon Women's Circle – Blue Moon

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

Keswick

Keswick is an attractive traditional small market town, which offers a variety of attractions,…

Day Admission to The Lake District Wildlife Park

A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of your favourite…

Lake District Calvert Trust

The Lake District Calvert Trust is a unique outdoor adventure centre dedicated to providing…

The Lake District Where modern tourism was born

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Afternoon Tea Bus launch

Address

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

Telephone
01768776599

info@basslakestation.co.uk

Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth

Join us for the first ever Afternoon Tea bus tour to Grasmere and back.

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Full Moon Women's Circle - Worm Moon

Address

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

Telephone
07810890528

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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May half term at Go Ape Whinlatter

Address

Go Ape Whinlatter, Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

Telephone
01603 895500

questions@goape.co.uk

Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite

Looking for things to do this May half term in Keswick? Head to Go Ape Whinlatter Forest near Keswick for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Open throughout the school holidays and bank holiday, Go Ape offers two thrilling high ropes experiences…

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St Herbert's Festival of Running

Address

St Herberts Primary School, Trinity Way, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4HZ

Telephone
+447719492236

Catherine_brennan@hotmail.com

Keswick

Fast, flat and inclusive 10km running event along the Keswick to Threlked railway. 3km fun run for children and adults.

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Forest bathing & nature connection

Address

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

Telephone
07904172349

hannah@renewyouholistictherapies.co.uk

Braithwaite, Keswick

Step away from the rush of everyday life and join Hannah for a 3 hour guided forest bathing experience, inspired by 'Shinrin-yoku' the Japanese practice of restoring wellbeing through mindful connection with nature.
Forest bathing is not a hike or…

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Altra 13 Valleys Ultra

Address

Theatre by the Lake, Theatre By The Lake, Lakeside, Lake Rd, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ

Telephone
07525732421

info@13valleysultra.com

Lake Rd, Keswick

13 Valleys celebrates the 13 unique valleys of the Lake District National Park which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them all together. You can choose between one trail distance: 2 Valleys (22km) and three ultra…

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The Bowder Stone and Watendlath

Address

Keswick, Cumbria

keswicktic@lake-district.gov.uk

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,…

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The Lake District Wildlife Park

Address

Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, CA12 4RD

Telephone
017687 76239

info@lakedistrictwildlifepark.com

Bassenthwaite

Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.

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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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Forage and Cookery Course

Address

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

Telephone
07423753212

info@totallywilduk.co.uk

Braithwaite, Keswick

Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery Course. Join them on a journey to learn about the hidden world of wild edibles that surrounds us. And that's not all! Enjoy a delicious wild food meal…

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Bob Graham Round with Contours Holidays

Address

Cumbria, Cumbria

Telephone
01629 821900

info@contours.co.uk

Cumbria

At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be restricted to elite fell runners, so we’ve turned it into an awesome walking holiday by extending the route slightly, so that each day ends in a village with…

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Catbells Cottage at The Lingholm Estate

Address

The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Cumbria, CA12 5TZ

Telephone
017687 74238

stay@thelingholmestate.co.uk

Portinscale

Catbells Cottage has been thoughtfully restored to create a stunning five-bedroom home, offering comfortable and versatile accommodation for families or groups that's perfectly positioned to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding fells.

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517 reviews
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The Spirit of the Guitar

Address

St John's Church, Ambleside Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4DD

Telephone
01539 266 200

boxoffice@ldsm.org.uk

Keswick

Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Rossini Sinfonia from The Italian Girl in Algiers
Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol (arr. William Kanengiser)
Ariel Ramírez and Félix Luna Alfonsina y el mar
Traditional…

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Family Friendly Half day Landscape Photography Workshop

Address

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

Telephone
07827298695

steveblakephotography@gmail.com

Braithwaite, Keswick

Join photographer Steve Blake on a family friendly half day workshop.
Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment is a perfect setting in which to 'dip your toe' into the world of landscape photography.
You'll explore different elements and…

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Go Ape Whinlatter

Address

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

Telephone
01603 895500

questions@goape.co.uk

Braithwaite

Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. Located in the North West of the Lake District, you'll find us in the heart of it. It plays host to two of our…

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268 reviews
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Massage Workshops - Lake District School of Massage

Address

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

Telephone
0800 086 2644

hello@lakedistrictschoolofmassage.co.uk

Keswick

Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a beginners course in beautiful Lakeland settings.

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Tourism For All

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5 reviews
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Lake District Cycling Holidays - The Carter Company

Address

The Carter Company, Various locations in Cumbria, CA12 4RE

Telephone
0129663167

hello@the-carter-company.com

Various locations in Cumbria

Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller in mind, we aim to show you the hidden gems of the Lake District and also offer the option of electric bikes.

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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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5 reviews
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Keswick Film Festival

Address

Alhambra Cinema, 36 St John's Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5AG

Telephone
017687 72195

admin@keswickfilmfestival.org

Keswick

Keswick Film Festival is Cumbria's premier cinematic event, bringing the best in international and independent cinema from across the world. We are also proud to call ourselves the friendly film festival, run by a team of volunteers dedicated to…

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Outside In

Address

Station Road, Keswick, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4NF

Telephone
01768773263

info@keswickmuseum.org.uk

Keswick

Inside just got interesting.
Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is reimagined. Sound, story and digital exploration blend into a hands-on experience that's full of life, built for curious minds and restless feet of all ages…

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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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