Julie Smith
11 March 2025
Lying towards the north west of the Lake District National Park, Buttermere is less lively than its more famous neighbours Ullswater and Windermere, andis the place to come if you’re looking for a true sense of the Lakes. Buttermere is peaceful, surrounded by beautiful fells and offers incredibly picturesque views from the water’s edge.
There are excellent walking, cycling, climbing and wild swimming opportunities, all just 10 miles from both Cockermouth and Keswick.
Read on to discover some of the best things to see and do in Buttermere and browse our range of holiday cottages in this lovely part of the Lake District.
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All about Buttermere
Buttermere village lies between Buttermere Lake and Crummock Water – at one time a single lake that was split in two during the last Ice Age. It’s home to St James’ Church, built in 1840, in which you’ll find a memorial to writer and walker Alfred Wainwright (his favourite mountain, Haystacks, can be seen from the village). There’s also the old school, which now serves as the village hall, as well as two pubs and several cafes.
It’s the perfect place to stop off and rest during your walk or your exploration of the area, and though it is at its busiest during the summer, it remains a lovely and traditional country village.
Both lakes are looked after by the National Trust, as is Loweswater, the third lake lying within the Buttermere Valley.
Buttermere activities and attractions
Buttermere may be one of the most peaceful places to head to in the Lake District, but there are still plenty of things to do during a short break or holiday. Here are some of our favourite activities and attractions in the Buttermere Valley.
Boating on Buttermere
Private boats, paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are allowed on all three lakes as long as they are not motor powered. All you need is a boating permit, which is available to buy daily from the machines in the National Trust car parks. Annual passes are also available; these must be purchased from the Trust’s North and West Lakes office. A maximum of ten crafts are allowed on the water at any one time (four on Loweswater), to avoid overcrowding.
Wild swimming in Buttermere
Buttermere Lake is 1.25 miles long by 400 metres wide, while Crummock Water is larger at 2.5 miles long and over 0.5 miles wide. The waters are clear and cold, and both lakes are popular wild swimming spots.
In addition to the lakes themselves, the Buttermere infinity pool is a big draw for swimmers. It’s located off Honister Pass, not far from the car park and along a well-marked path that gradually wends its way upwards. The pool lies at the base of a waterfall and affords spectacular views of the surrounding fells and Buttermere Lake.
You can go swimming yourself when taking appropriate precautions (and note that Buttermere gets deep quickly and is colder than expected) or book a local guide such as Suzanna Swims.
Buttermere waterfalls
There are several pretty Lake District waterfalls around Buttermere and all are worth a visit to experience the stunning force of nature, especially after a storm when the waters are at their most dramatic and torrential.
Moss Force
See this striking waterfall from the layby at the top of Newlands Pass. The view of the water cascading over the crag is not to be missed.
Scale Force
At over 50m high, this is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Lake District. It is possible to reach the falls via one of several paths from Buttermere, Crummock Water or Red Pike, but the going can be slippery, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy boots.
Honister Pass and Honister Slate Mine
Drive up Honister Pass and park at Honister Slate Mine – the last active slate mine in the country and a popular start to many fell walks. Guided tours of the mine are available, and the venue is also known for extreme sports such as canyoning, climbing inside the underground slate mine and the Via Ferrata Xtreme, which offers a mixture of climbing and scrambling across Honister Crag.
Wildlife and wildflowers at Buttermere
Buttermere and nearby Crummock Water are both Sites of Special Scientific Interest and protected for their wildlife which includes otters, red squirrels and rare Ice Age fish. It’s not just about the animals though, Buttermere is home to many species of wildflowers, bog mosses, herbs and grasses; you’ll find unusual plants such as shoreweed and quillwort along the gravelly shoreline and can spy water lobelia on long stems sprouting out of the lake.
Don’t miss
- Seeing the celebrated bluebells at Rannerdale during late spring and early summer. Here a carpet of flowers stretches across the valley in all its majesty – make sure to keep to official paths so as not to trample the delicate plants.
- Look out for the Arctic Char, a fish that dates to the last Ice Age and is only found in the Lake District. You also may spot shy creatures such as red squirrels, deer and even otters, which have made a welcome reappearance around Buttermere and Crummock Water in the last few years.
- Bird watchers will be rewarded with sightings of the great crested grebe, which nests in the reeds around Loweswater, as well as by various species of duck and meadow pipits around the peat bog at Loweswater, and sandpipers around Buttermere.
Buttermere walks
You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the beauty of Buttermere on foot – the circular walk around the lake is 4.5 miles and relatively easy. The National Trust recommends taking your time, allowing three hours for the route so you can enjoy the spectacular scenery. There’s also a National Trust car park near the lake so you can drive to your starting point.
Of course, there are many more difficult routes over the fells surrounding the three lakes that are suited to more experienced walkers. Visit Wainwright’s beloved Haystacks, hike the easy way up Fleetwith Pike, High Stile, Robinson or Red Pike, or set your compass for Grasmoor or High Crag.
Our favourites
- An easy route to try is the walk from Lanthwaite Wood Car Park to Crummock Water. It’s just 0.5 miles but you’re greeted with a marvellous view of the lake that encompasses Grasmoor through to Mellbreak.
- There is also a walk that stretches 9 miles around Crummock Water. It’s a more difficult route that requires some scrambling and can be boggy underfoot but affords wonderful views of the area.
- The walk around the southwest shore of Loweswater by contrast is open to all. It follows the shore and meanders through Holme Wood so is ideal for adults and children. A full circular walk around Loweswater is also fairly accessible, but does include a large stretch of walking on winding roads.
Places to eat in Buttermere
Whether you’re looking for fuel to power you through your fell walk, or a reward after you’ve completed it, there are several great places to eat and drink in Buttermere. If you’re looking for a hearty lunch or evening meal, try the High Stile Kitchen at Buttermere Court. It’s dog friendly and you’ll find classics on the menu like Cumberland sausage and mash and fresh fish and chips. Muddy paws are also welcome at The Bridge Inn, which is a top choice for Sunday roasts and features the Walkers Bar (named after Reverend Robert Walker who founded The Bridge Inn in 1734) where you can sup on local Cumbrian cask beers.
Other favourites
- Syke Farm Tea Room, where you can get delicious full English breakfasts to start the day and tasty homemade ice cream for a summertime treat.
- Croft House Farm Cafe offers sustenance in the form of hot and cold sandwiches, soup, jacket potatoes, scones and cakes. Just what you need to carry you through an arduous hike or an afternoon of relaxing by the lake.
- The Kirkstyle Inn at Loweswater is around 5 miles from Buttermere. It is open for lunch, light bites and dinner, with a seasonal menu created with local ingredients, as well as real ales from its own brewery.
Getting to Buttermere
Driving to Buttermere is fairly straightforward, though along some narrow, winding roads. it’s just 7 miles from the A66 at Braithwaite and around 10 miles' drive from Cockermouth. Or you can take an incredibly picturesque route from Keswick through the Borrowdale Valley – there’s a steep pass to drive over this way, so it’s best left to confident drivers and in reasonable weather.
Good to know
- The nearest mainline train station is Penrith, 27 miles away, which is pretty much accessible from everywhere in the UK.
- During the summer, a shuttle bus runs to Buttermere from Cockermouth, while the Honister Rambler runs from Keswick to Honister Pass and Buttermere.
Map of Buttermere
Discover all the things to see and do around Buttermere with this handy map.
Where to stay in Buttermere
Prepare to be enchanted by Buttermere’s beautiful landscape and discover the peace and tranquillity of this corner of the Lake District. What better place from which to explore the area than one of our holiday cottages? Whether you’re looking for a large home-from-home for the entire family or a romantic retreat for two, take a look at our cottages near Buttermere.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.