Buttermere and Lorton
Buttermere is a lovely peaceful village situated at the foot of the Newlands Pass between the lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water. It is very quiet with a few farms,a chapel and two pubs. The name Buttermere may mean 'lake where butter is made' due to local dairy farming
Four miles from Cockermouth and eight miles from Keswick is the village of Lorton. The village is split into High Lorton, home to the village shop and church, and Low Lorton, where you will find the local pub. High Lorton and Low Lorton were separated in 1158 when High Lorton was given to the priory Church of Carlisle. The dividing line of Church Lane still exists today.
Lorton lies midway down the Lorton Valley, at the foot of the Whinlatter Pass which goes over to the village of Braithwaite. The Pass takes you up into Whinlatter Forest, Englands's only mountain forest with an excellent choice of trails for both walking and mountain biking.
The Lorton Vale, one of Lakeland's most peaceful valleys has no shortage of activities. With 5 lakes within 6 miles there are opportunities for sailing, canoeing, fishing and lakeside walks. The Lorton Valley is an excellent location from which to explore the peace and tranquility of Crummock Water, Buttermere and Loweswater.
Buttermere can be accessed from Keswick by car from the A66 through the Lorton Valley. You can also take the Whinlatter Pass from Braithwaite or via a very breath-taking and narrow road the shortest route is via the Newlands Pass.
There are plenty of opportunities for high level walking including Red Pike, High Stile, Fleetwith Pike, Rannerdale Knotts and Haystacks. There are footpaths around both Buttermere and Crummock Water and to nearby Scale Force the highest waterfall in the Lake District. The walk around Buttermere only takes about 2 to 3 hours set amongst some of the finest scenery in the Lake District. Click here for a lovely walk around Buttermere with the option to extend the route to Scale Force. Walks from the Honister Pass include the summit of Great Gable. Other nearby fell walks include Melbreak, Grasmoor and Whiteside. There are picturesque low level walks beside the river Cocker, which runs the full length of the valley. The old Mosser Road over the fell to Loweswater is a good low level walk. The Red Pike to High Stile Ridge is close by for those wishing to tackle something more challenging.
Lorton and Buttermere are served by the Honister Rambler bus route though this bus only runs during the season from Easter to October. This bus service (77/77A) operates in both clockwise and anti clockwise directions taking in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, the Honister Pass, Buttermere, Lorton, the Whinlatter Pass and Whinlatter Forest. For bus timetables click here.
