Bowderbeck is in an idyllic, peaceful spot looking out over the valley yet only a leisurely 10 minute walk down a footpath to Buttermere village or the lakeshore. In the village there are 2 traditional pubs and 2 cafes serving proper coffee and ice creams.

Click on the map below to read all our latest reviews and see updated pictures and videos.​

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Things to do
Even if you're not keen on climbing mountains, there is so much to do in the local area. We keep a selection of walking guides, maps and leaflets about the local area.

Eating Out
The Bridge Hotel
The Bridge has a walkers bar and outside area offering bar meals, local specialities and real ale and a more formal restaurant. 5-10 minutes walk.

The Buttermere Court Hotel
Once the home of Mary Robinson (the Maid of Buttermere made famous by Sir Melvyn Bragg's book) the Buttermere Court offers bar food and has a large beer garden. 5-10 minutes walk.

Croft House Farm Cafe
Listed in The Independent Top 50 Best Tea Rooms and serving  sandwiches, snacks and drinks for walkers to take out with them, and excellent coffee, home-made cake and local ice cream, they will also make up walkers packed lunches for you to take with you. This lovely cafe is open 10-5 every day except Christmas Day. 5-10 minutes walk.

Syke Farm Tearoom
At the bottom of the lane, Syke Farm tearoom offers sandwiches, teas and home-made ice cream from the farm in lots of interesting interesting flavours like Turkish Delight!

Kirkstile Inn
Sixteenth century inn nestling below Mellbreak with a beer garden, bar and restaurant all with fantastic views. c.15 minute drive.

Walking
Whether you enjoy a gentle ramble around a lake or full day hikes over the highest fells in England, the possibilities for walks from the front door are endless! You can walk to iconic Buttemere spots including Warnscale Bothy, Buttermere Infinity Pools and Scale Force waterfall that have recently been made famous on social media directly from the house.

The major Wainwrights in the area include Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks, High Stile, High Crag, Red Pike, Mellbreak, Robinson, Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike, Grisedale Pike & Great Gable. On cloudy days, or for the less energetic there are plenty of smaller fells and pleasant valley walks around Buttermere, Ennerdale, Crummock Water, Loweswater and Derwentwater.

We provide all the Wainwright guides, lots of walking books & local maps in the cottage. The OS maps of the area accompanied by the OS App are the best way to plan your walks.

Much of the land in Buttermere is owned by the National Trust and they often run events in the valley.

​The Lake District National Park runs a programme of free guided walks

Adventure Sports within 15 minutes drive
If you're looking for something more adventurous there are lots of local options.

Honister
The Lake District's most unique experience with indoor activities for a rainy day. Climb the mine, Via Ferreta extreme, infinity bridge and mine tours

Whinlatter Forest Park & Visitor Centre
Offers spectacular views of the Lake District and into Scotland, GoApe, mountain bike hire, mountain bike trails, a weekly park run, numerous walking routes, nature trails, orienteering trails, picnic sites, a tearoom and a shop. 

Keswick Adventures
Canoeing, canyoning, climbing, abseiling, kayaking and much more

Fishing
Trout, char, pike and perch can all be found in Buttermere.

Lake District Fishing
Information about all aspects of fishing in the Lake District. A local day permit is £8 and covers Crummock, Buttermere and Loweswater plus a short stretch of the River Cocker.

Biking

Cyclewise
The UK's premier mountain bike training company offers mountain bike hire, skills courses and much more at  Whinlatter Forest Park

Keswick Mountain Bike Hire
Hire bikes and go on group rides.

E-Venture Bikes
Electric bike hire

Sustrans
Information & maps for cycling routes around the Lake District

The Coast to Coast cycle route passes very close to Buttermere. 

Wild Swimming
Buttermere lake is a wonderful spot for wild swimming and the lakeshore is only a short walk from the house. For the (even) more adventurous you can swim in remote tarns up in the local mountains, or in the rivers and waterfalls. This website tells you all the best local spots for a swim.

Armathwaite Hall Hotel, Keswick
Clay Pigeon Shooting, Quad Bike Safari, Off Road Land Rover Driving, Mountain Biking, Falconry, Guided Fell Walking, Mountaineering, Abseiling, Canoeing, Fencing, Ghyll Scrambling and Horse Riding. Also has a day spa.

Derwentwater Marina
In Portinscale, near Keswick, you can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking also mountain biking and guided hill walking/climbing and ghyll scrambling.

Rookin House Equestrian & Activity Centre, Penrith
Quad bike treks, human bowling, Argo Cat, Go Kart Rally Cross, Archery, Clay Pigeon Shooting, tank driving, amphibious army vehicle driving, JCB driving, horse riding lessons and hacks

The Glaramara Centre, Seatoller
Outdoor centre approx 20 mins drive from Bowderbeck with a variety of activities and 1 & 2 day skills courses in rock climbing, caving, orienteering, mine exploration, canoeing, mountain biking and many more. Advance booking vital.

Horse riding
Bradley Riding Centre, nr Ennerdale
Pony trekking & horse riding for all levels.

Bird Watching

Lake District Osprey Project
The unique Lake District Osprey Project is managed by the Forestry Commission, Lake District National Park Authority and the RSPB. You can view these spectacular birds of prey from 2 locations as they nest near Bassenthwaite lake (April to August) or on the video screen at Whinlatter Visitor Centre where there's an Osprey exhibition and giant live video screen of the nest (April to August). Lake District Osprey Project staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide a guide for what can be seen on the live video.

Haweswater RSPB Reserve
The Haweswater RSPB reserve is a mixture of woodland and mountain grassland with tumbling becks and imposing crags, surrounding Haweswater reservoir. It is the only place in England where Golden Eagles nest. Buzzards, Dippers, Peregrines and Redstarts are also regularly seen here. An observation point is open 10am - 4pm during the breeding season (Apr-Aug). It is reached from the western end of Haweswater Reservoir, 2 km along an uneven path.

Rainy Days

There's plenty to do even if does  rain, listed below are just a few places within easy reach of Bowderbeck that are worth a visit:

BUTTERMERE
Honister Slate Mine
The only slate mine in England! Fascinating visitor centre, guided underground mine tour and Slate Stone Garden. Now has a Via Ferrata.

KESWICK

Theatre by the Lake
Theatre by the Lake, by the side of Derwentwater, is Cumbria's purpose-built year-round theatre which opened in 1999.
The acclaimed resident professional company offers a summer season of plays, a major Christmas show and an Easter production. The Theatre also hosts a wide range of visiting drama, music, dance, talks, comedy and film.

Derwent Pencil Museum
Generations of craftsmen have maintained and improved upon the standards that make Derwent one the most highly regarded brands of fine art pencils in the world.

Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens
A delightful Seventeenth century stately home, Mirehouse has several literary connections and an impressive collection of letters and manuscripts by Francis Bacon and three Poet Laureates Tennyson, Robert Southey and Wordsworth. Apart from the house there are also extensive grounds, a magical adventure playground, a tearoom, open air theatre and St Bega's Church. Open April to October.

The Keswick Launch
 The launches start from the Keswick boat landings and cruise around the lake stopping at seven lakeshore jetties giving you lots of options for walks. Alternatively, stay on the boat and enjoy the 50 minute trip around Derwentwater. Also hire rowing boats and self-drive motor boats.

Keswick Climbing Wall & Activity Centre
More than just a climbing centre., there are also outdoor activities in Cumbria and the Lake District of all types; from biking to ghyll scrambling, canoeing to raft building, and of course climbing and abseiling.

AMBLESIDE

Don't miss Ambleside's amazing selection on outdoor shops. There's also a stunning waterfall, glass blowing centre and plenty of good bookshops, tea rooms and cafés, look out for:

Lucy's on a Plate Café, restaurant, delicatessen and cookery school specialising in produce from around Cumbria emphasising individually created foods ranging from cheeses, breads and pastries to pickles, chutneys and puddings.

Zeffirelli's cinema, restaurant & jazz barUnique, independent cinema with 4 screens, wholefood restaurant / café and jazz bar with live music.


GRASMERE
A very pretty village with a few shops, an art gallery and plenty of lovely walks in the local area including the coffin route to Ambleside, a potter around the lake, Helm Crag (otherwise known as the 'Lion and the Lamb'), Easedale Tarn and Helvellyn. 

Faeryland Tea Garden
Lovely tea garden right on the lake with rowing boats for hire.

Dove Cottage & Wordworth Museum
Grasmere's most famous residents were William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy who lived in Dove Cottage from 1799 - 1808. There are guided tours, telling the story of the house and family and many of the Wordsworths' household items, furniture, family possessions and portraits are displayed. 

Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
This tiny shop is the home of 'Sarah Nelson's Famous Grasmere Gingerbread' sold in the village since 1850.

Sam Read's Bookshop
Lovely independent bookshop in the heart of the village

Heaton Cooper Studio
Art gallery, studio and cafe 

Rydal Mount 
The historic home and gardens of William Wordsworth 

MARYPORT

Clip & Climb
A fantastic indoor climbing wall and indoor caving centre for kids & adults - ideal for wet days.
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FURTHER AFIELD

Rheged - The Village in the hill
RHEGED is home to a giant cinema screen showing giant movies daily, the Helly Hansen National Mountaineering Exhibition, 12 Shops and Artists Galleries, Children's Indoor Play Area, Restaurant and Cafes and Tourist Information Centre.

The World of Beatrix Potter
Come & see Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle and all their friends at the definitive Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Ullswater Lake Cruises
You can take a trip on either "Lady of the Lake" or "Raven" along the 12 km lake, with fine views of the valley and Helvellyn. These classic vessels were once steam powered but have since been converted to conventional power. There is a one-hour cruise, which takes place at the southern end of the lake or take the complete two-hour cruise around the lake. You can incorporate a walk by starting at Glenridding then walking to Howtown and catch the Ullswater Steamer back to Glenridding.

Muncaster Castle - Gardens, Owl Centre & Children's Maze
Muncaster Castle, home to the Pennington family for 800 years, is a genuine treasure trove of art and antiques. Its Great Hall, Octagonal Library and elegant Dining Room are all windows on a grand past. But Muncaster's wild history reveals a flipside to life in a stately home. The castle evolved from the Pele Tower, built to repel marauding Scots. Those who stay here say it is haunted by ghosts, including the legendary Tom Fool. Visit the Tapestry Room if you dare!

Jennings Brewery Tour
Jennings have been brewing traditional beers at The Castle Brewery, in the quaint market town of Cockermouth since 1874.

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
The most beautiful train journey in England! Situated in the English Lake District this 15" Narrow Gauge Railway carries passengers from the old Roman Port of Ravenglass seven miles along the Eskdale Valley to Eskdale (Dalegarth) with a journey time of 40 minutes from Ravenglass to Eskdale. Trains are hauled by either steam or diesel engines.

The Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole
Situated between Ambleside and Windermere, the Lake District Visitor Centre opened in 1969, and is set in 30 acres of magnificent terraced gardens stretching down to the shore of Windermere, with splendid views of the surrounding countryside and a range of indoor and outdoor activities including exhibitions, trails and lake cruises. Open February to October.

Annual Local Events

Ambleside Daffodil & Spring Flower Show, 3rd Saturday in March 

Keswick Beer Festival, June 

Cockermouth Festival, July 

Ambleside Sports, Thursday before the 1st Monday in August
A traditional Lakeland event now in it's third century!! Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, fell races, hound trails and much more! 

Borrowdale Show, September
Visit this friendly show and meet and see a traditional part of Lakeland life. Attractions include sheepdog trials, fell races, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, craft tent, trade stands, vintage machinery and vehicles.

Cumbria Food & Drink Festival, October 
A weekend celebration of the finest food and drink Cumbria has to offer.

Buttermere Shepherds Meet & Show, October
Herdwick and Swaledale sheep show, shepherds crook show, working sheep dogs, terriers and trackhound pups show. Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling. Local produce and related stalls, fell races, and catering and beer tent

Keswick Victorian Fayre, 1st Sunday in DecemberThis spectacular annual event involves market traders and lively locals dressing up in Victorian costume. Held in the picturesque Market Place, with the Christmas tree and shops festooned with colourful lights, and equally colourful local characters providing entertainment and leading the carol singing, the event is an occasion not to be missed.

Press articles about Buttermere

The Guardian Top 10 walks in the Lake District

Metro Breathtaking lake that people can't believe is in the UK

The Guardian A tunnel, a sore head and a missing treasure


Useful Lake District links

The official Cumbria Tourist Board website

The official Keswick & North Lakes website