Pictures of Borrowdale

About Borrowdale

There is little doubt that Borrowdale possess some of the most unforgettable of all in the vast landscape of The Lake District National Park.

Borrowdale runs as a valley along the edge of Derwent Water, often referred to as "The Queen of Lakes". Here visitors will find the glorious Ladore Falls, and the giant Bowder Stone which has fascinated generations ever since the Victorians first started to come into the area.

The valley landscape is soft and gentle in some parts, in others it is singularly dramatic with High Seat forming a stunning backdrop of over 600 feet.

Grange stands at the head of Borrowdale, this is marked out by its double arched bridge crossing the waters of the Derwent River and a number of fine stone cottages. It stands in a landscape almost crowded with lonely fells and rushing waters. Centuries ago the monks from Furness Abbey farmed lands here, more latterly this was the home of writer Hugh Walpole, who lived at Brackenburn House for almost twenty years. He wrote lyrically of the beauty of Borrowdale, but how can anyone put into words the sheer perfection and majesty of this precious landscape.

Apart from the Bowder Stone, other interesting spots in Borrowdale are the breathtaking Honister Pass, Great Gable, Green Gable, and Blackmoss Pot. Stonewaite Beck is tremendous, this is formed by two streams, Langstrath Beck and Greenup Gill, these meet below the fierce bluff of Eagle Crag, which is reached via Stonewaite village. Greenup Gill is part of an old pack-horse trail which eventually leads to Grassmere.

Borrowdale is a landscape beloved by walkers, around the region visitors will find good accommodation, old inns, the odd shop or two selling weatherproof clothing and walking boots and information centres. At the opposite end of the valley lies the historic market town of Keswick, this has a wider choice of shops and a museum containing original manuscripts by Wordsworth, Ruskin, Hugh Walpole and other writers associated with the lakes. It also has an interesting church where the poet Robert Southey (1744-1843) is buried.