Rosthwaite
Rosthwaite is a village situated 6 miles south of Keswick in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley beyond Derwentwater. It is ringed with mountains and located between the river Derwent and Stonethwaite Beck. It lies to the south end of the Borrowdale valley before the B5289 road begins its climb up the steep Honister Pass at Seatoller.
Rosthwaite makes an ideal base for a walking holiday with the fells literally on the doorstep. It is the starting point of many walks including over the fell to the hamlet of Watendlath with the tarn of the same name, up to Castle Crag and along the Langstrath Valley. a low level walk from Rosthwaite through contrasting and spectacular Lakeland valley scenery with striking river features. There is the option to extend the walk to Black Moss Pot, a popular swimming spot in the Langstrath Valley. There is a lovely circular walk from Rosthwaite taking in Millican's Dalton's Caves. Millican Dalton was the self-styled “Professor of Adventure” and lived in a cave in summer on the side of Castle Crag for nearly 50 years. En route to castle Crag the stepping stones in Rosthwaite are always fun to cross at drier times of the year. Where the stepping stones are now used to be a ford crossing until this was replaced by the nearby New Bridge.
The longer Coast to Coast and Cumbria Way (Langdale to Keswick section) walks both pass through Rosthwaite.
The area has lots to offer in terms of activities with fishing, rock climbing and water sports to name but a few on hand. IBorrowdale one of the most popular places to rock climb in the Lake District because there are lots of low level fast drying crags which are easily accessible from the road. Three classic climbs can be found in Borrowdale: Little Chamonix, Shepherd's Crag; Gillercombe Buttress, Gillercombe and Troutdale Pinnacle, Black Crag.
Rosthwaite is also perfect for a relaxing get away from it all holiday in peaceful surroundings with the shops, pubs and attractions of Keswick only a short drive or bus ride away.
Rosthwaite is served by the Keswick to Seatoller bus 78 which runs all year round. Additionally between April and October you can ride on the Honister Rambler a circular seasonal bus service which runs in both clockwise and anti clockwise directions taking in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange, Rosthwaite, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter Forest. Travel through one of the steepest passes in the region, the Honister Pass over to Buttermere. Click here to view bus timetables.
There is a small National Trust car park in Rosthwaite (NT members free) and adjacent Borrowdale Institute car park. Both car parks are quite small so if you are starting a walk from here it is advisable to take the bus 78 from Keswick.
