Bassenthwaite Lake

Bassenthwaite Lake is the only body of water in the Lake District to use the word lake in its name; all the others are waters, meres or tarns. It lies north west of Keswick, about 6.4 kilometres long and fairly shallow, with Skiddaw rising steeply over its eastern shore and the forests of Thornthwaite and Wythop to the west.

It is a quiet lake and a national nature reserve, with boating restricted and few paths that reach the shore. The A66 runs along the western side and the A591 along the eastern side, with lay bys giving views over the water.

Its fame comes from its ospreys. The birds returned to breed here in 2001, the first in the Lake District for well over a century, and they have nested in the area most years since. The Lake District Osprey Project runs viewpoints at Dodd Wood on the eastern shore in the breeding season, from spring to late summer. Mirehouse, a historic house with lakeside grounds, and the small church of St Bega's on the shore are nearby, and Dodd and Ullock Pike give good views over the lake. The best months are April to August, when the ospreys are breeding, though autumn and winter bring other birds to the lake and its marshes.

Do not expect a lake you can easily walk round or sail on: this is a lake for watching rather than doing. Combine it with Keswick, Whinlatter or the walk up Skiddaw.