In our new blog series we give some suggested itineraries for things to do in the local area. This week we are focusing on a day out in Buttermere.
Getting there
Parking is very limited in Buttermere and with narrow roads and steep passes, the bus is the easiest way to go. The Honister Rambler bus runs from April to October and takes a circular route from Keswick via Borrowdale and Whinlatter.
The full circular bus route is a great way to see the Lakes without getting tired legs. On the way, you can hop off at Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere or Whinlatter. It's not a hop-on-hop-off flat fare but you can either get a day's travel pass, or at the moment it's £2 for a single bus fare so it would still be a bargain.
Morning
Have an adventure at Honister Slate Mine and explore the UK's last working slate mine - Honister is home to a wide range of unique adventure activities for all the family. For the adventurous, why not have a go at their Via Ferrata Xtreme, for slightly less exposure but no less fun have a go and Climb The Mine, or all ages can enjoy the Mine Tours (Kids Go Free - Ts and Cs apply).
Lunch
For lunch you can see what's on offer in The Bait Cabin Cafe at Honister, or head down to the stunning Buttermere village where there are a few cafes with delicious meals, snacks and homemade ice cream
Afternoon
In the afternoon why not take a relaxing walk? There are so many options for stunning walks for all abilities from Buttermere village.
- The walk around Buttermere Lake is refreshingly flat with views that adorn many postcards and paintings. Part of this route is a Miles without Stiles accessible route and if you're ok with rougher ground (still on a good path) you can enjoy a walk all the way around the lake.
- For a lovely walk with the option to extend the route to the highest waterfall in the Lake District, there is Buttermere and Scale Force.
- And particularly popular when the bluebells are out in May, you can walk up the lovely Rannerdale Valley and the short but steep Rannerdale Knotts.
Did you know ‘Knott’ from the Norse word ‘knottr’ means a lump or a hard knot. And ‘How’ (as in Braithwaite How, Great How and King's How) comes from the Old Norse word ‘haugr’ for a hill, mound. How many 'Knotts' and 'Hows' can you find on an OS map?
We hope this has given you some ideas for some days out in Buttermere.
If you would like more inspiration, check out our itineraries page.
