Bassenthwaite, Lake District travel guide and Bassenthwaite information

Visit Bassenthwaite

Found to the north of the Lake District National Park, Bassenthwaite is east of Cockermouth and north of Keswick.

The village is quietly located on a pretty stream, with the village 'centred' around the lime-trees of the village green. There is also a village pub (the Sun Inn), but no shops.

Visit Bassenthwaite

Bassenthwaite is very well placed for exploring the northern Lake District, especially for hiking in the region, with walks for all levels of ability available on the doorstep, from level ambles to a hike up Skiddaw.

The name is best known for Bassenthwaite Lake, to the west of the village (despite its name, note that the village is not actually on the shores of the lake, it is about 2km distant).

At 6km long the lake is one of the largest in the Lake District - and it is also the only one in the entire Lake District to actually have the word 'lake' in its title! There is limited access to much of the shoreline of the lake, being in private ownership, but there are numerous places where you can have great views across the water.

The Bassenthwaite Sailing Club is an active organisation, and you will often see the boats from the club on the lake.

Bassenthwaite lake ospreys

Another big attraction here at Bassenthwaite Lake is ospreys - head to Dodd Wood carpark for the main viewpoint. Re-established in Scotland 50 years ago, extensive efforts are being made to encourage the ospreys, which are often seen in the Lake District, to settle and nest in the region (there is currently one nesting pair). Note that osprey viewing is late spring to autumn only, since the ospreys migrate during the winter.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Lake District guide and the