Finding us
We assume you are coming by road... if not, see below
Your route of course will depend on where you are coming from, and
most visitors will need to come via Penrith and Keswick. There
are a choice of routes for that:
- From the South-east: take the M1 to join the M6 then up to Junction 40 for the A66 to Keswick;
- From the South-west: taake the M5 to the M6 then up to Junction 40 for the A66 to Keswick;
- From the North-west: take the M6 down to junction 40 for the A66 to Keswick;
- From the North-east or South-east: the A1 to Scotch Corner then A66 to Keswick.
This last one is a good route when the motorways are busy
but the A66 over the Pennines can be closed when the weather is bad.
Driving up from the South we often leave the M6 at junction 36 and
take the A590/A591 to Keswick. The A591 between Kendal and
Keswick is claimed to be one of the most scenic roads in the
country.
Once you arrive at Keswick, Borrowdale is well signposted via the
B5289 and it's a delightful 6½ miles to Chapel Field. The road is
narrow and twisty so take care as the wonderful views and the beauty
of the valley are likely to distract the driver.
B 5289
For the first couple of miles the lake of Derwentwater is on your
right. Pass the Lodore Falls Hotel on your left after 3½
miles. If you have a meal here you will be able to use the gym
and swimming pool facilities. (017687 77285)
www.lodorefallshotel.co.uk
Another half-mile down the road you will pass, again on the left,
the Borrowdale Hotel which provides a hearty meal at a very
reasonable price. (017687 77224)
www.theborrowdalehotel.co.uk
After another half-mile, the next landmark you pass, this time on
the right, is the pretty pair if bridges over the River Derwent to
the village of Grange, where there are a couple of tea shops, but
continue on the B5289.
Six miles out Keswick you will come to Rosthwaite, where the road
narrows near by the Scafell Hotel, on the left. At the Scafell
Hotel there is a smart restaurant at the front (prior booking
required - 017687 77208) and, at the back, the Riverside Bar, which
we prefer. This is a mecca for walkers to exchange chat about
their days on the fells and anything else. You will find a
range of real ales and traditional bar meals with enormous portions.
www.scafell.co.uk.
Chapel Field is just half a mile further down the road. You
will see the junction to Stonethwaite on the left and a large bus
shelter opposite you: our front gate is just to the left of the
shelter (see below).
If you're coming by public transport, the nearest railway station
is Penrith. You can catch a bus to Keswick from just outside
the station, they run every hour. The busses in Keswick stop
just outside the Booths supermarket.
From Keswick the Borrowdale busses run every 30 minutes in the high
season, just ask the driver to stop at "Stonethwaite Road End", from
where the picture above was taken, showing our front gate.