The broad stretch of land sandwiched between Skiddaw and the Whinlatter fells is the main corridor between Keswick to West Cumbria and the coast, with the A66 running alongside Bassenthwaite Lake for much of its length. Portinscale is the village closest to Keswick and is adjacent to the shores of Derwentwater where there are two marinas. On the most convenient route to the very popular walks on Catbells and the Derwent Fells, Portinscale has a good selection of accommodation and services.
A short way further on from Keswick is Braithwaite situated between the main road and the B5292 up into the Whinlatter Forest. The Forest Park and the Visitor Centre provide lots of opportunity for walking, mountain biking, orienteering and learning about life and work in the forests. With hotels, pubs and other accommodation as well as a high quality caravan and camping site, most with panoramic views across the valley, this is an excellent centre for exploring northern Lakeland. The Newlands Valley is usually approached from Braithwaite; it is the classic unspoiled farming valley and a historic route over the pass (hause) into Buttermere. Farms are scattered throughout the valley with Stair and Little Town, with its lovely little church, being the main settlements in this picturesque setting.
Neighbouring Thornthwaite, bypassed by the A66, is a quiet popular base with wonderful views across the valley and Bassenthwaite Lake towards Skiddaw. There is easy access to Whinlatter Forest behind the village which is watched over by 'The Bishop', a whitewashed image on the hillside above. The forest here is now famous as the nesting place of the magnificent ospreys which feed on fish from the lake. A television link can be seen at the Visitor Centre and there is an observation point across the lake in Dodd Wood.
There is an impressive crossing of the River Derwent as it leaves the lake at Ouse Bridge, not far from Dubwath, just off the A66, as it leads on to Cockermouth, past the attractive villages of Wythop which has an interesting mill and Embleton, on the other side of the road with its hilltop golf course.
