Derwentwater
Keswick
Derwentwater
When you walk down to the lakeside it is not difficult to see why Derwentwater is one Keswick's main assets. Derwentwater is only a short stroll from the town centre via Hope Park with its beautiful formal gardens. The lake is three miles long and is fed by the River Derwent catchment area in the high fells at the head of Borrowdale.
A little further on from the boat landings is Friars Crag with its stunning views of Derwentwater and the Borrowdale valley. The viewpoint is one of the most popular places for photographs and only a short stroll from the town centre. The view was described by Ruskin as one of the three or four most beautiful views in Europe. There is a memorial to Ruskin on the crag, a slab of rock with a bronze portrait medallion. It is called Friar's Crag because it is said to be the departure point for monks sailing to St Herbert's Island on pilgrimmage to where the Saint was said to live. The fictionary Old Brown from Squirrel Nutkin in the Beatrix Potter tale was also supposed to have sailed to the island, known as Owl Island in the book. The Lingholm Woods on the opposite side of Derwentwater were used as a background for many of Beatrix Potter's woodland and nature sketches.
Tens of thousands of walkers will have looked at and wondered at the modern sculpture set in Calf Close Bay, placed there to commemorate the Centenary of the National Trust in the Lake District. carved out of a boulder of volcanic rock from the Borrowdale Valley, the unusual design represents ten segments across ten rings, a century. The hige range of lake levels means a variation from total submergence to stamding marooned high on the share. A memorial plaque is set beside the path.
Visit our walks page to download walks along the shores of Derwentwater
Round Derwentwater Walk
This project is creating a new boardwalk around the southern end of Derwentwater. This boardwalk links to the existing all-weather footpath along the western shore of Derwentwater, and provides access for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs.
There are four islands in total on Derwentwater, all owned by the National Trust, as is much of the shoreline. In addition to St Herbert's Island, Lord's Island was once the seat of the Earls of Derwentwater and Rampsholme, the smallest, is covered with wild garlic. Derwent Isle, the largest island and with an occupied house on it, is linked to the mainland by boat, the boat house being clearly visible from the boat landings. The island and house are leased by the National Trust to tenants who travel in and out using boathouses on both sides. The house is open to the public for organised visits at certain times of the year arranged by the National Trust. Derwent Isle was probably first settled by the german copper miners of the 16thC, a grand house was built in the late 1770's by a prominent character, Joseph Pocklington, who is possibly most renowned for the spectacular firework displays on the lakeshore at that time and the fake naval battles staged around the island.
One of the popular ways to enjoy the beauty of the lake, besides walking the lakeshore paths, is to take one of the launches which operate on a regular timetable around the lake. Not only is it possible to make the complete circuit of Derwentwater, lasting about 50 minutes, but a little planning allows passengers to leave the launch at any one of the regular stops for a walk and picnic and then catch another launch at the same or different jetty. Rowing boats can also be hired and canoes and kayaks are a common sight on the lake. There are two marinas and several launching spots around the lake. Powered craft on the lake must not exceed 10mph. A permit from Keswick Angling Association is required to fish in addition to an Environment Agency rod licence. Both are available from the Keswick Tourist Information Centre.
A project to transform and preserve the foreshore of Derwentwater has been given a £1.2m boost thanks to funding awards from Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. The funding will improve and secure the long term future of the stunning lakeside location. The money will be used to preserve and enhance this popular site for future generations to enjoy. Plans include the restoration of natural features, landscaping, as well as educational activities regarding the history, geology and the environmental aspects of the site. Over a period of three years hard surfaces will be renewed, furniture replaced, vehicle access restricted, erosion controlled and new information and interpretation facilities created.
The Derwentwater Foreshore Project has been dear to the hearts of the Keswick community, who have been involved over many years to develop and shape the project plans. Indeed at the suggestion of local people, a group will be established called “The Friends of the Foreshore” enabling local people to come forward as volunteers. There will be a range of opportunities allowing everyone within the Keswick area to get involved ranging from welcoming and engaging with visitors, liaising with local and visiting schools to undertaking visitor surveys. Opportunities may also arise to be involved with The National Trust on land management and maintenance.
Derwentwater Foreshore has a rich and prestigious history. In the 16th century the site was used as a landing spot for the local mining industry and in the 18th and 19th century it became the inspiration for Romantic Poets such as William Wordsworth. In Victorian times the Foreshore became a focal point for the newly developing tourist industry which brought tourists to Keswick by railway.
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