Description
Derwent Water in the Lake District
Grade 
Come and admire the magnificent splendour of the northern fells and the tranquil beauty of Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite and Buttermere in the English Lake District.
Price: £940
– Single supplement £140
Duration:
7 nights
Next departure:
– May 13th 2024
As England’s largest National Park containing all of England’s land over 3000 feet, as well as 400 lakes and 50 dales, the Lake District requires no introduction -it is classic walking territory. The combination of soaring peaks, tranquil lakes and picture postcard valleys rightly makes this one of the UKs most popular walking areas.
Our base at the Derwentwater Hotel, close to Keswick, in Portinscale, is ideally situated for exploring the Northern Fells and picturesque Borrowdale. It is a beautiful area that I have returned to again and again over the years.
I am running two holidays here in 2024 in May and September. Wherever possible, we will take advantage of the Derwentwater ferry system, the Keswick Launch to access our walks. A week pass for the ferries is included in the holiday.
Holiday highlights
- Walk amongst the magnificent northern fells and take in spectacular views of Derwentwater and picturesque Borrowdale.
- Explore the wooded shores of the ‘Queen of the Lakes’, Derwent Water, and beautiful Borrowdale to its south.
- Enjoy relaxing boat journeys on Derwent Water -probably the prettiest of the English Lakes. A week’s ferry pass is included in the holiday cost.*
- Stay in the brilliantly located Derwentwater Hotel, not only does its location reduce travel to a minimum, but the gardens also extend down to the shores of Derwentwater, making for an ideal after dinner stroll.
*N.B At the time of writing the Nichol End jetty (the ferry stop nearest to the hotel) is broken and there is no date set for completion of repairs. In the event that the Nichol End ferry stop is out of action for the 2024 season then ferry use will be seriously curtailed.
Accommodation
Our home for the week, Derwentwater Hotel is perfectly situated on the shores of Derwent Water itself. Set in 16 acres of grounds with gardens leading down to the lake shore, there are fantastic views from the terrace of the lake, Derwent Water Marina and the mountains behind. It is an ideal place to relax after a day’s walking or take a stroll after dinner. At a mile just outside Keswick in the village of Portinscale, it couldn’t be better located to explore the northern fells and the picture postcard valley of Borrowdale.
All rooms are ensuite and have tea and coffee making facilities. Room upgrades to a larger room, or those with a lake view are available. Please enquire if you are interested in one of these.
Single supplements and upgrades
Single occupancy supplement: £140
Upgrades are available for larger rooms and those with a lake view. Please enquire.
Included
- En-suite half board accommodation in the Derwentwater Hotel.
- A three-course meal, served on each evening in the hotel restaurant.
- 5 days guided walking with a qualified and professional leader.
- A week pass for the Derwent Water ferries and any other transport to and from walks.*
Not included
- Lunches -these are available to buy from local shops in Keswick or can be ordered from the hotel
- Incidental expenses such as drinks.
- Transport to two of the walks. These are a short drive away.
*N.B At the time of writing the Nichol End jetty (the ferry stop nearest to the hotel) is broken and there is no date set for completion of repairs. In the event that the Nichol End ferry stop is out of action for the 2024 season then ferry use will be seriously curtailed.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
The following is the proposed itinerary. However, please bear in mind that in the event of local conditions changing, for example due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to change the itinerary.
The walks will be ordered during the week to make the most of the conditions.
Day 1: Arrive in Keswick
Arrive at Derwentwater Hotel and check into your room. Meet at 7pm in the conservatory for a short briefing about the week ahead before our three-course dinner is served in the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals included: dinner
Day 2: Catbells and the Cumbria Way
Day 2: Catbells and the Cumbria WayWe start our week with a local walk over iconic Catbells. With 360 degree views of the surrounding hills, we can take in views of our routes for the week ahead and really get our bearings. Walking from the hotel we follow the Cumbria Way south, and then go up and over Catbells. After pausing on the summit for elevenses and to take in stunning views we descend to again pick up the Cumbria Way as it winds its way around the beautiful wooded shores of Derwent Water back to Portinscale.
14 km (8.5 miles) ascent/descent 450 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Watendlath, Rosthwaite and Castle Crag
Today we explore one of the most beautiful valleys in the Lake District, Borrowdale. We travel by bus to Manesty Woods to walk around the south side of Derwent Water. From the Lodore Falls hotel, we head up the beautiful and peaceful Watendlath Beck, one of the Lake District’s many hanging valleys – a product of the last Ice Age. Once at Watendlath village, we head down to Rosthwaite before turning north to walk the length of Borrowdale past the iconic Castle Crag itself. Once back at Derwent Water we return by ferry to the hotel.
14.5 km (9 miles) ascent/descent 700 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Skiddaw!
Today we tackle the giant in our midst, Skiddaw. However, to make life a little easier we park in the Latrigg car park to save ourselves around 250 metres of ascent. From the car park we take a gentle, steady and picturesque route to the summit; around Lonscale Fell, up to Skiddaw House and over Sale How. We descend via a different route.
14 km (8.5 miles) ascent/descent 700 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Free day
Today is free to discover the local area. There is plenty to visit and explore in and around Keswick and the Lake District. Some suggestions are:
- Pencil museum in Keswick
- Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Wordsworth’s House and Garden
- Hill Top – Beatrix Potter’s House
- Sizergh
Or you may wish to use your ferry pass to potter around Derwent Water and/or visit Keswick to stock up on walking gear.
If you would rather not lose a day’s walking in this beautiful area, then I can provide you with plenty of routes/maps/walking books for ideas.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Ancient stone circles, waterfalls, and stupendous views!
Today is a day for tourism; we will visit some of the most beautiful sites in the Lake District! We walk from the hotel, following the path of the old Penrith-Carlise railway line to Castlerigg Stone Circle. After time to explore, we head upwards towards Walla Crag. The views down over Derwent Water and across to Blencathra and Skiddaw are breathtaking. We follow the crag line to Ashness Bridge, reputedly the most photograhed bridge in the Lake Distrcit and from there walk the short distance to Surprise View. It doesn’t disappoint! With one last stop at the Lodore Falls to admire the spectacular waterfalls there, we head back to the hotel by ferry.
14 km (8.5 miles) ascent/descent 500 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Sail from Braithwaite
We finish our week with another local walk. We drive the short distance to park at Braithwaite just a mile or so away from Portinscale and from here climb Coledale Beck before turning off to the summit of aptly named Sail. The path is steep in places but we will take it steadily with plenty of stops to take in the view! From Sail we can admire the peaks around us; Grassmoor, Crag hill, and Causey Pike. We descend by Stile End to Braithwaite where there may just be time to partake of refreshment in the excellent Coledale Inn!
13 km (8 miles) ascent/descent 750 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 8
The holiday finishes after breakfast. It’s goodbye -until next time!
Meals included: breakfast
Kit list
For walking each day:
- Good walking boots or shoes
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Lightweight, quick drying trousers
- Base layer
- Mid-layer such as a fleece jacket and an additional ‘spare’ layer depending on the forecast
- Walking socks
- Warm hat and gloves -just in case the weather turns
- Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and high SPF sun block
- Day sack (25 litre capacity is a good size) to comfortably carry your kit, lunch and water
- Dry bag or rucksack cover to keep the contents of your daypack dry
- Water bottle
- Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic etc)
- Some snacks to keep you going
- Walking/trekking poles (if you use them)
Maps
OS : OS Explorer map OL4, The English Lakes North Western area
Group size
This guided holiday will have a maximum group size of 15.
