The name is the history
These small settlements have been here a very long time, and their names usually say why. A grange is a farm, generally one belonging to a monastery — and in this case it was the monks of Furness Abbey who built a monastic grange here in medieval times.
The well-known double-arched bridge was built in 1675; the church of the Holy Trinity dates from 1861. Grange was a Methodist dry village, and it is only in recent years that the Borrowdale Gates Hotel was granted a licence to serve non-residents.
The Jaws of Borrowdale
The Borrowdale valley runs some ten miles from the high fells — Scafell Pike, at 977 metres the highest summit in England, stands at its head — down to the shores of Derwentwater.
Beyond Grange the valley narrows into the spectacular Jaws of Borrowdale, road and paths squeezed together into a gorge. Then, with real suddenness, it opens into rich pasture bordered by drystone walls across a flat valley floor, and the whole ring of mountains at the head of the valley is revealed at once.
The Bowder Stone
One of the most famous rocks in the Lake District sits close to the village. It weighs 2,000 tonnes, stands 30 feet high and 30 feet across, measures 90 feet around — and balances entirely by itself.
It is a short walk from the National Trust car park on the B5289 between Grange and Rosthwaite. More about the Bowder Stone.
Climbing, walking and getting here
Borrowdale is one of the most popular places to climb in the Lake District, because it has a great many low-level, fast-drying crags within easy reach of the road. Three classics are here: Little Chamonix on Shepherd’s Crag, Gillercombe Buttress on Gillercombe, and Troutdale Pinnacle on Black Crag. There is fishing and there are water sports besides.
Grange is the start of many fell walks — Catbells, Castle Crag and Grange Fell among them. For something level, follow the path beside the river Derwent to Rosthwaite and Seatoller, or the other way towards Derwentwater and along the shore into Keswick.
The 78 runs between Keswick and Seatoller all year. From April to October the seasonal Honister Rambler runs a circuit in both directions, taking in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange, Rosthwaite, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter Forest, over one of the steepest passes in the region. Bus times and routes are on the getting here page.
Stay in Borrowdale
The bridge is a popular stopping place for a picnic or a cafe, and the village behind it stays quiet even when the road is busy.
Other villages nearby
Threlkeld
A working village below Blencathra, with two pubs and a traffic-free railway path into Keswick.
Explore Threlkeld
Applethwaite and Millbeck
Two hamlets below Skiddaw, with old mills, red squirrels and the classic route up the mountain.
Explore Applethwaite and Millbeck
Rosthwaite
A walking base among Borrowdale’s fells, near the stepping stones, Castle Crag and Langstrath.
Explore Rosthwaite
Seatoller and Stonethwaite
At the head of Borrowdale, close to Honister Pass, slate mines and routes towards Scafell Pike.
Explore Seatoller and Stonethwaite
Portinscale
Derwentwater boats, lakeside paths and a fifteen-minute walk over the suspension bridge from Keswick.
Explore Portinscale
Map
- Grange in Borrowdale
- Keswick
- Rosthwaite
- Seatoller
- Portinscale