The Borrowdale Valley
A. Wainwright said, "The Lake District is the loveliest part of England and Borrowdale is the fairest of its valleys. Its appeal lies in the rich tangle of tree and rock - the hanging gardens of birch and rowan, the grey cliffs that bound its green fields..."
The travel writer Walt Unsworth described nearby Stonethwaite as,
"Justly renowned for its beauty...though small, it contains all
those features which go to make the district so popular: wooded
slopes a fine beck, bold crags and one of the prettiest hamlets in
Lakeland. If man and nature ever achieve perfect harmony, the
result will be something like Stonethwaite."
Borrowdale runs some ten miles from Scafell
Pike the highest summit in England, down to the shores of
Derwentwater at Keswick, the River Derwent valley must be one of the
most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in Britain.
The lower and wider reaches of the Borrowdale valley are dominated
by the lake of Derwentwater, close to Keswick and with strong
connections to The National Trust and the famous author, Beatrix
Potter. The lake is easily accessible to the public being ringed by
road and footpath along its shores and by paths at higher levels.
Enormously popular with lovers of all leisure activities it still
retains its peaceful atmosphere and beauty. One of the scenic gems
of this area is the little side valley of Watendlath, perched above
the lake. Still unspoiled, from the famous packhorse Ashness Bridge
to the delightful hamlet and small lake (tarn) noted for its
fishing, visitors can experience a very traditional scene.
In the main valley some 4 miles from Keswick, past the impressive
Lodore Falls, is the small and attractive village of Grange in
Borrowdale, reached over the striking two arched bridge, a popular
stopping place for picnics and refreshments. From here the valley
narrows into the spectacular "Jaws of Borrowdale" with road and
paths squeezed into a gorge close to the translucent waters of the
river bed.
With dramatic suddenness the scene changes to one of rich pastures
bordered by dry stone walls spread across the flat valley floor. The
wide panorama of mountains surrounding the head of Borrowdale are
revealed in all their majesty. Rosthwaite is the first and largest
of the settlements in the upper valley with Stonethwaite, Seatoller
and the small hamlet of Seathwaite further on at the start of valley
routes into the mountains. The design of buildings and use of local
building materials add to the attractiveness and interest for the
many visitors staying, walking or touring through the valley. All of
this spectacular landscape lies within half an hour of travelling
from Keswick. A regular bus service runs the length of the valley
all year round and this can link in to the launches plying around
Derwentwater. This adds great flexibility to the experience and
opportunities in exploring the delights of Borrowdale.