Bassenthwaite
The attractive village of Bassenthwaite, a mile and a half from the shores of the lake of the same name, is situated six miles north of Keswick and a similar distance from Cockermouth. The village has a traditional village green, which with wooden swings and space for ball games, make it an ideal safe playing area for children. A stream, complete with ducks, runs through the heart of this peaceful Lakeland village.
Bassenthwaite (A591 not the village itself) is served by the X4 bus which runs between Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington and intermediate villages. Click here for bus timetables.
There is an abundance of walking opportunities in the area including the mighty Skiddaw, Lord's Seat, Ullock Pike and Binsey Fell, described by Wainwright as 'a simple walk for a big view'.A gentle climb of three miles from Bassenthwaite brings you to the Cumbria Way and Dash Falls. A stroll through fields takes you to the ancient church of St Bega in an idyllic location and the scene of many weddings. Dodd Wood, on the slopes of Skiddaw, offers a variety of way marked trails and a viewing platform for the Osprey. Excellent views reward those who make it to Dodd Summit.
Bassenthwaite Lake, four miles long and three quarters of a mile wide, is the most northerly of the lakes.
At Dubwath, on the North Western shore, is Bassenthwaite Sailing Club which hosts a family regatta during the first week of August every year. RYA members can launch sailing boats from the grounds of the club for a daily fee.
Boat, canoe and sail board users must respect the no boating zones as these protect important breeding grounds. There is no right of navigation on Bassenthwaite so to take any craft onto the lake you must have a permit. For fishing on the lake you need a valid lake permit and an Environment Agency rod licence. Click here for more information and fishing and boating and to view and download a pdf map of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Bassenthwaite Lake is a very important place for wildlife. Hundreds of birds including the osprey migrate to the lake and fish such as atlantic salmon come to Bassenthwaite Lake to spawn. Don't miss a visit to Dubwath Silver Meadows, a wetland nature reserve is at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake. Visitors to the reserve can expect to spot grasshopper warbler, curlew, greylag, geese, reed bunting and meadow pipit.
Don't miss a visit to the Lake District Wildlife Park, there are 24 acres of parkland with over 100 species of wild and domestic animals. Enjoy a tour of The Lakes Distillery, the largest whisky distillery in England, is set in an area of unimaginable beauty next to Bassenthwaite Lake. Inviting and informal The Bistro at the Distillery is the perfect place for coffee and cake, light lunches, afternoon tea or a leisurely three-course supper. Mirehouse is a beautiful family run historic house with gardens, lakeshore and woodland playgrounds.
Just off the A66 at the Western end of Bassenthwaite Lake you will find the Bassenthwaite Lake Station cafe, aboard a full-size replica steam train, used as the filmset for the 2017 film, Murder on the Orient Express located on the restored former railway station.
