Rosthwaite

The village

Rosthwaite lies six miles south of Keswick in the Borrowdale valley beyond Derwentwater, ringed with mountains and set between the river Derwent and Stonethwaite Beck. It sits at the southern end of the valley, just before the B5289 begins its climb up the Honister Pass at Seatoller.

It makes an ideal base for a walking holiday, and an equally good one for doing very little — the shops, pubs and attractions of Keswick are a short drive or bus ride away when you want them.

The dark rust-streaked mouth of the cave cut into the quarried rock

The Professor of Adventure

Millican Dalton called himself the Professor of Adventure, and for nearly fifty years he spent his summers living in a cave on the side of Castle Crag above the village.

His caves are on the circular walk from Rosthwaite, and the words he cut into the rock at the entrance are still there.

Walking from the village

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The stepping stones
Always fun to cross in the drier months, and on the way to Castle Crag. Where they are now used to be a ford, until the nearby New Bridge replaced it.
On the doorstep
Circular walk
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The Langstrath valley
A low-level walk from the village through contrasting and spectacular valley scenery with striking river features, with the option of extending to Black Moss Pot — a popular swimming spot.
Low level
Walk the valley
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Over the fell to Watendlath
Up and over to the hamlet of Watendlath and the tarn of the same name — one of the hidden corners of the district, left behind when the glaciers scoured out the main valley.
Half a day
The Watendlath valley
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Coast to Coast and the Cumbria Way
Both long-distance routes pass through the village — the Cumbria Way on its Langdale to Keswick section.
Passing through
Walking routes

Climbing in Borrowdale

Borrowdale is one of the most popular places to climb in the Lake District, because it has so 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 as well.

A village road curving past a pub beneath a large bare oak

Come by bus if you can

There is a small National Trust car park in Rosthwaite and an adjacent one at the Borrowdale Institute. Both are genuinely small — if you are starting a walk from here, it is worth taking the 78 from Keswick rather than driving down and finding nowhere to leave the car.

The 78 runs all year. From April to October the seasonal Honister Rambler adds a circuit in both directions over the pass to Buttermere. Bus times and routes are on the getting here page.

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