Buttermere — Attraction in Great Britain

We parked just past the village on quite the incline (not suit able for a sports car). It was then a gentle walk down to the path adjacent to the lake and set off in a clockwise fashion, I recommended a clockwise route as the pub ends up being one of the final landmarks reached on the routes. It is a steady first half an hour walking along a well kept path.

You then hit the road for a short while before veering off to the right where you are greeted by an inviting offering of refreshments and ice creams (cafe on wheels). There was a medium sized car park at this location but the price of 4 pounds reassured us that the hill was ideal. We swiftly bypassed the cafe and headed round past the cows wallowing in the mouth of the river.

Direction of travel was now North/North-East (22° bearing). We a choice of up the hill or remain close to the shore line, shore line it was. Not much action on this side, plenty of fur trees but lacked character.

Once we got to the end of the north/north-east bearing, we hit a diversion (work was being done on the bridge). The diversion was 650m and entailed some of the most challenging terrain the route had to offer. On the plus side, the diversion did lead us to the pub. Pub had a thriving population of wasps and chip eating birds.

We were now on the home straight. The views were worthy of an international award. Trees along this side of the lake were very unique and caught one's eye.

We decided to have our picnic (cheese sandwiches + snacks) on the shoreline which was delightful. Lunch lasted at least an hour, partly prolonged by me joining the swimmers for a short while. Water temperature was brisk (glad I had my shorts on). I couldn't keep up with the seal skin swimmers, I think me lacking a fluorescent buoyancy aid was the reason. Ducks were spotted in the water.

We left our lunch location and set off for the finish. This last stretch was tricky terrain which included a dark and soggy cave. A lack of lighting made it quite spooky. Thankfully there was light at the end of the tunnel.

So, we were now within spitting distance of the car. It was an easy stroll from here back up the path to the car thankfully still straddling the curb on the hill. Moments after we got into the car, the heavens opened and we were pleased the walk was not any longer.

Best of...

What can you say about Buttermere that hadn't already been said! For me it's the Lake District's cherry on the top, absolutely beautiful views in every direction, there's walks to suit everyone, from just a walk round the lake to a couple of scrambles up onto The High Stile Range. You can access so many fells from Buttermere, too many to mention, but obviously the High Stile range, Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, Robinson, Hindscarth, Rannerdale Knots, Grassmoor, & Mellbreak, from these fells, well you can link so many others!

Both Buttermere & Crummock Water are just epic for paddleboarding, & wild swimming, though I'd stick to Buttermere for the wild swimming. The two pubs are decent, though what was once The Fish Inn has now been taken over sadly, & it's not the same, good selection of local ales, though I'm not a drinker, but you've a fair choice, unlike the menu, which is tiny, possibly the smallest I've seen! Having said that, the bangers & mash were very good! Especially after a day of both fell walking & SUP! The Bridge Inn is far better for food, though be prepared to queue for a table in summer, which we did, & after 10-15 minutes we were sitting looking at a great menu! Again, plenty of ales if you're into that, but a much better menu, & again, very good food!

Syke Farm Campsie is brilliant imo, it's only got 1 shower for the men, & another for the women, but considering this was my second time camping there, I still didn't have to wait, its got like a drying barn, with clothes lines to dry off anything as well as good washing up facilities.

This review is from my first visit in 2012, when I camped, many other day visits as well as this year's camp, which is why I was a little disappointed that the Fish Inn has gone, but does that change my opinion of Buttermere being the cherry on the top? Nah, not in the slightest, still the most stunning part of The Lakes, with Upper Eskdale coming in a...

Buttermere in Cockermouth offers a truly enchanting experience for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Lake District. The walk around Buttermere Lake is one of the most relaxing and accessible hikes you can find. It's a gentle, easy walk that is not strenuous at all, making it perfect for families, casual walkers, and anyone wanting to enjoy a peaceful day out.

There are plenty of scenic spots around the lake ideal for a picnic. Surrounded by the majestic Red Pike, High Stile, and Robinson mountains, the lake provides a stunning backdrop that enhances the tranquility of the walk. The picturesque views and serene atmosphere make it a perfect location to unwind and connect with nature.

A notable aspect to consider is the car parking situation. The main car park can get extremely busy, and while it does have a public toilet, there is a small fee to use it. To avoid the chaos, we opted to park at Gatesgarth Car Park at the other end of the lake. This area was much less crowded and provided a more relaxed start to our walk.

The only minor drawback of the walk around Buttermere Lake is that for a small section, you have to go onto the Honister Pass road. While it’s not a major inconvenience, it’s something to be mindful of, especially if you have children or pets with you.

Overall, Buttermere in Cockermouth is a gem in the Lake District. The ease of the walk, the breathtaking scenery, and the ample picnic spots make it a must-visit for anyone exploring the area. Despite the busy car park and brief road section, the experience is overwhelmingly positive and one that I...