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Welcome to the Buttermere Valley: known for its natural beauty and located in the Lake District National Park, it’s a peaceful place popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The blue ribbon lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater are surrounded by fells and mountains including Red Pike, High Stile, Fleetwith Pike, Robinson, Whiteless Pike, Grasmoor and Melbreak; as well as the charming villages of Buttermere and Loweswater.
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 of the Buttermere Valley were carved by huge glaciers during the Ice Age. It’s thought Buttermere and Crummock Water were once a single lake, but fluvial deposits 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 Rannerdale 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 and an exhilarating Via Ferrata course.
Today, much of the Buttermere Valley is owned and managed by the National Trust, who also operate a number of car parks in the area.
The Buttermere Valley is popular for its hiking routes, offering plenty of western Lake District walking opportunities. It’s home to several Wainwrights, as well as lower level walks around its various lakes.
The Buttermere Valley is located in the Western Lake District, between Cockermouth and Wastwater.
There is a good choice of accommodation in Buttermere, including scenic campsites, B&Bs, self catering accommodation, country inns like the Kirkstile Inn and hotels like Hassness Country House and the Bridge Hotel.
From cosy country pubs to farm cafes, Buttermere offers a good selection of places to eat.
The Buttermere Valley can be reached by car, with National Trust car parks in Buttermere village and Lanthwaite Wood near Crummock Water. Buttermere can also be reached by bus via the Stagecoach 77/77A Honister Rambler service which operates between Easter and October, taking in locations like Catbells, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine and Whinlatter Forest.
Keep an eye out for seasonal shuttle bus services from Cockermouth during the summer months.
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.
The stark white cross painted on a rock is in memory of Fanny Mercer. Fanny, a servant of the master of Rugby School, was accompanying him and his family on a trip to the Lakes when she fell to her death while descending the steep slopes of Fleetwith on 8 September 1887.
This tiny church was built in 1840 on a rocky knoll at the entrance to the village. There is no graveyard here (because of the rock substrate), so the deceased had to be taken to Loweswater or Lorton churches along so-called ‘corpse roads’. One of the windows is dedicated to Alfred Wainwright (1907−1991), author of the well-known walking guides on the Lake District, and appropriately faces Haystacks, his favourite mountain.
the western lakes has a rich history, brilliantly told
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The English , Buttermere
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes Buttermere and Crummock. Surrounded by famous peaks, Haystacks, Red Pike and Great Gable.
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…
Loweswater
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and sycamore.
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…
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.
Crummock Water has unparalleled views. At 2.5 miles long, it is a clear, rocky bottomed lake flanked by steep fellsides of Skiddaw slate.
Cockermouth
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with picturesque views.
Borrowdale, Keswick
The slate mine tours at Honister Slate Mine offer an exciting experience suitable for all ages come rain or shine. Set in a picturesque part of the Lake District at the top of Honister Pass, visitors can adventure deep into the belly of Fleetwith…
Keswick
Adventurous Ink, the book subscription that helps readers reconnect, are inviting lovers of good books and the great outdoors to join them for a unique springtime event at Seatoller Farm in the Lake District's Borrowdale.
Over the weekend of 29th &…
The English, Buttermere
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn. Apartments built in grounds 17 years ago and continually upgraded.
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.
Cockermouth
From leisurely lakeside strolls to more challenging fell climbs and classic Lakeland ridge walks, there are routes for all levels of fitness and abilities, many of which start right from the doorstep or are within easy reach of Hassness Country…
Keswick
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater and Keswick. Close to Scafell Pike and the high fells. On the Coast to Coast route. It is an ideal base for a walking/hiking holiday. Double/twin and…
Near Cockermouth
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of people with breast cancer. Gather your friends or colleagues, and join like-minded people on Saturday 7 June, on the breathtaking shores of Buttermere…
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.
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.
Cockermouth
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells, Hassness Country House is the perfect base for guided and self-guided walking holidays in the Lake District. This was the favourite Lakeland location of…
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…
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.
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