Loweswater

Loweswater is a small, peaceful lake at the north western edge of the Lake District, about 1.8 kilometres long, lying a little apart from Crummock Water and Buttermere. Unusually, it drains towards the fells rather than away from them, its water flowing into Crummock Water. It is surrounded by farmland and woods and is much less visited than its neighbours.

The circuit of the lake is an easy walk of about four miles, much of it on National Trust land. The path along the south western shore runs through Holme Wood, a lovely old woodland with a waterfall, Holme Force, and views across the water to the low fells of Darling Fell and Burnbank Fell.

The small village of Loweswater, near the eastern end, has the Kirkstile Inn, a well known pub. The surrounding fells, including Mellbreak, Low Fell and Darling Fell, give modest climbs with excellent views across the lakes to the higher fells of Buttermere and the Solway coast. It is lovely in autumn when the woods turn colour, and in spring when Holme Wood comes into leaf.

Facilities are minimal and parking is limited to a small National Trust car park at Maggie's Bridge and some roadside spaces. There is no regular bus. It is an ideal half day out when the bigger lakes are busy.