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Buttermere

A small lake under High Stile and Haystacks, with one of the best low level walks in England right round its shore.

Lakeshore path along Buttermere towards the pines and the pyramid of Fleetwith Pike
Photo: Julian Herzog, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Buttermere is a small lake, about 2 kilometres long, at the head of the valley that also holds Crummock Water. It lies under the high wall of Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag to the south west, with Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks closing the head of the valley. Its setting is one of the finest in the Lake District, and it is a favourite of photographers.

The walk round the lake, about four and a half miles, is flat and on good paths, and suits almost anyone. On the north eastern shore, near Hassness, the path passes through a short tunnel cut through the rock. At the southern end, Gatesgarth farm and car park stand under Fleetwith Pike, and the lone pines on the shore near the head of the lake are one of the most photographed views in Cumbria.

Haystacks, Wainwright's favourite fell, rises above the head of the lake, and the walk up via Scarth Gap is one of the great Lakeland days. The village of Buttermere, at the northern end, has the Fish Inn, the Bridge Hotel and the Syke Farm tearoom with its ice cream. Early morning and evening are the best times for photographs, and spring and autumn bring fewer visitors.

The car parks in the village and at Gatesgarth fill early in summer, and the roads over Honister and Newlands are narrow and steep. The 77 and 77A buses from Keswick are the easy option.