Things to do nearby Crag Lea

Borrowdale is one of the most stunning valleys in the Lake District - offering varied walking from the most family friendly fell of Catbells to the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike. Both can be reached from the valley floor as can a myriad of other walks. Borrowdale offers some classic rock climbing routes and scrambling opportunities. You can cycle on road through the valley and over one of the toughest passes at Honister, or go off road on the bridleways for some more adventurous biking. At the southern tip of Derwentwater you can hire all manner of boats for adventures on the lake.

Alfred Wainwright described Borrowdale as containing the loveliest square mile in Lakeland and it is hard to disagree with him.  The area containing Castle Crag and Kings How were said to be of special significance and for a man who knew Lakeland so intimately, his description is quite an accolade. "It contains no high mountain, no lake, no famous crag, no tarn, but in the author's humble submission it encloses the loveliest square mile in England - the jaws of Borrowdale."

And so our journey begins into Borrowdale!

Our holiday cottages are perfectly situated for setting out on foot to enjoy the delights that the valley has to offer - the beautiful Derwentwater, lush valleys, majestic peaks, mature woodlands and the gorgeous river Derwent winding a route from its source high up at Styhead Tarn. Borrowdale really is prime walking country with routes to satisfy everyone from all day monsters to gentle rambles along the valley floor.

One of the first highlights on the road to Borrowdale is Ashness Bridge. Up the steep road for Watendlath, the ancient packhorse bridge at Ashness is a beauty spot that most people visiting the Lake District will have heard of or seen a photo of. In real life the setting is just as pretty. Water polished rock lines the bed of the tumbling gill. The position high off the Borrowdale Road gives a view unchanged over the years towards Keswick and Skiddaw with Derwentwater in the foreground.

Nearby Keswick is a traditional Lakeland town with a pedestrianised Market Square packed full of outdoor shops, cafes and pubs. For further information, please visit our Keswick Area Guide.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Grasmere, a charming village in the centre of the Lake District, beloved of Wordsworth who worte of its lake, "the most loveliest spot that man hath found".

• Grasmere lake with its gentle rowing boats.
• Dove Cottage - Wordsworth home from 1799 to 1808. It was here where Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry
• Rydal Mount - Wordsworth's home from 1813 to his death. Its extensive gardens were landscaped by the poet.
• Grasmere's famous gingerbread shop
• Heaton Cooper studios
• Loughrigg Fell - with many many walks intertwining with each other and panoramic views of Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere and the rest of the Lakes
• Sour Milk Ghyll - a wonderous waterfall after heavy rain
• St Oswald's church - the final resting place of both William and Mary Wordsworth
• Many places to eat, drink and shop.
• Grasmere is the perfect starting point for hundreds of walks and bike rides

Hawkshead is still the same tiny village of higgledy-piggledy houses, archways, and squares beloved by William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter

The village centre is completeley car free with a large car park on the outskirts. Here you will find a Beatrix Potter Gallery and the popular car ferry to Windermere and Bowness. Nearby Grisedale Forest is an interesting day out with woodland walks, superb bike trails, forest sculptures of metal and wood and the Go Ape course.

The Old Man of Coniston, rises dramatically behind the houses when seen from Coniston village. The village itself is a good centre for walkers and climbers, and those wanting to investigate the Tilberthwaite Slate quarries. Donald Campbell broke the water speed record on Coniston Water in 1955, and was killed attempting to regain it again in 1967.

• John Ruskin's home - Brantwood
• The Ruskin Museum Lakeside launches (a superb way to reach Brantwood)
• Cycling round the lake
• Rowing on the lake
• Tarn Hows - one the of the Lake District's most famous beauty spots
• Coniston Brewing Company, makers of 'Bluebird Bitter', CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 1998
• Spoon Hall Pony Trekking Centre
• Summitreks Adventure Services - Licensed Adventure Activities including rock climbing, abseiling, aquasailing, canoeing, mountain biking
• Paragliding School
• Fishing (licence needed)
• Shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants
• Hundreds more walks