Keswick's broad, island-dotted lake, ringed by fells with the jaws of Borrowdale opening to the south
Derwentwater is the lake right on Keswick’s doorstep, one of the widest in the Lake District and one of the shallowest, scattered with wooded islands and ringed by fells. To the south the valley narrows into the crags of Borrowdale; to the west Cat Bells forms the steep little ridge that half the day-trippers in Keswick end up climbing, because it’s short, shapely and starts near the shore.
Launches run round the lake from the Keswick boat landings, calling at jetties on the way, so you can ride out and walk a stretch back. Friar’s Crag, a short stroll from town, is the classic viewpoint down the length of the water; John Ruskin rated it one of the finest views in Europe. The old oak woods of the Borrowdale Rainforest climb the valley sides at the southern end.
Keswick has all the parking, cafés and gear shops you’d expect of a Lakeland hub, and the lakeshore path is flat and family-friendly. The fells around are steeper business — check the forecast before going high, because the weather turns quickly here.
