Welcome to Brasscam, Borrowdale
The Borrowdale Valley and nearby
Borrowdale is a picturesque valley in the north west of the Lake
District. At the northern end of the valley, there is the Vale of
Keswick and the scenic Derwentwater. On the north side of the valley
overlooking the lake is Cat Bells, one of the lower Lakeland fells, and
subject of one episode of Julia Bradbury's Wainwright Walks. She
mentions in one of her programs how Wainwright considered Borrowdale to
be the nicest square mile in the Lake District.
South of Derwentwater, the first village is Grange just off
the B5289, on the side of the River Derwent. It is from Grange
that Julia Bradbury started her walk to Castle Crag in her first series
of Wainwright Walks. Wainwright recommends this low fell for
people with only a couple of hours to spare in the Lake District (but
quite a strenuous two hours!)
Castle Crag also forms the western side of the gorge known as the Jaws
of Borrowdale on account of its jagged tooth-like appearance in the
centre of the valley. The B5289 and River Derwent squeeze through the
valley at this point. Past here the valley floor opens out into a wide
plain of green pastures on the southern side. In the middle of this wide
open space, surrounded by fells, is the village of Rosthwaite. Although
small and quiet, it is the largest village in Borrowdale, and is
considered the valley's capital.
Further south, the valley forks into two directions, separated by
Rosthwaite Fell and Glaramara. To the south-east, is the Langstrath
Valley where Langstrath Beck and Greenup Gill join to form Stonethwaite
Beck. Between Stonethwaite Beck and Rosthwaite Fell is the small
picturesque village of Stonethwaite.
South-west of Rosthwaite Fell, the Borrowdale Valley continues to the
village of Seatoller. Here the valley forks again to the west where the
B5289 crosses the Honister Pass going down to the next valley of
Buttermere, and south to the valley head high up in the fells past
the hamlet of Seathwaite. This is where the streams of Grains Gill and
Styhead Gill flow down from the
Scafell Pike range of fells to form the River Derwent.
Walks from the Borrowdale Valley within easy striking distance of Brasscam
Castle Crag - from the Allerdale Ramble track behind High Dote, or from
Grange
Scafell Pike - via Seathwaite Farm, Stockley Bridge, Sty Head and
the Corridor Route
Glaramara - Allen Crags, Esk Hause, (Great End -
optional), Stockley Bridge and Seathwaite
Rosthwaite Fell, Bessy Boot
and Tarn at Leaves
Dale Head - over High Dote, Rigghead, Dale Head Tarn
to Dale Head
Dale Head - from Honister Pass then down to Dale Head Tarn
and up High Spy and Maiden Moor and down to Grange - HR
Great Gable -
from Honister Pass via Grey Knotts, Brandreth and Green Gable - HR
Great
Gable - from Seathwaite via Sour Milk Gill
Haystacks - from Honister
Hause - HR
Seathwaite to Sty Head Walk
Watendlath - via the “Donkey Path” from Rosthwaite ***
Walks a bit further afield - accessed by car
Buttermere round walk from the Fish or Bridge Inn, Buttermere ***
Haystacks via Scarth Gap from Buttermere, returning via Fleetwith Pike
Mellbreak from the Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater
HR Accessible using the Honister Rambler bus
*** Easier walk for the
young and old
Learn all about “the Valley” - check out
The Borrowdale Story
For full guidance on walks be sure to use a map and a Wainwright or other Guidebook
Cycling
The Borrowdale Valley and surrounds provide challenging but
marvellous terrain for cycling as well as walking. The Forest Trails in
the Whinlater Pass are great fun for mountain biking too.
Cycle Route NCN71 passes through Keswick.