Bassenthwaite Lake Lake
Lake in England's Lake District within national park
One of England's Lake District lakes, Bassenthwaite shores offer birdwatching, canoeing and views of Skiddaw; walkers use lakeside paths and nearby villages as bases.
Bassenthwaite Lake at a Glance#
Address: Bassenthwaite Lake, Lake District, Cumbria, England
About Bassenthwaite Lake#
Bassenthwaite Lake is a freshwater lake in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, and is one of the larger lakes in the district. It is a recognised area for birdlife and wetland habitats and forms part of the national park’s protected landscape.
Shoreline paths, roadside viewpoints and nearby car parks provide access for short visits and allow visitors to observe the lake and surrounding fells. The lake is often visited for wildlife watching and for views of adjacent hills such as Skiddaw.
The lake is a natural feature of the Lake District and has been managed within the park for conservation and recreation; its shoreline supports reedbeds and wetland habitats that are important for birds.
Bassenthwaite sits north of Derwentwater and near the town of Keswick in northwestern England, within the central area of the Lake District National Park.
- Wildlife: It is one of the principal water bodies in the Lake District National Park and supports notable birdlife and wetlands along its shores.
- Access and views: The lake lies close to the town of Keswick and provides views of surrounding fells including Skiddaw, making roadside viewpoints convenient for short visits.
How to Get to Bassenthwaite Lake#
By car, Bassenthwaite Lake is reached via the A66/A591 roads; from Keswick it’s about a 10-20 minute drive. Nearest rail link: nearby stations at Workington or Penrith with onward bus/taxi; local buses serve villages around the lake in summer.
Tips for Visiting Bassenthwaite Lake#
- Walk the lakeshore at dawn for mist and light on the water; the west shore gets the best sunrise views.
- Birdwatchers should bring binoculars - the lake attracts migratory wildfowl and osprey in season.
- If driving, take the A66/M6 route to Keswick and follow signs to Bassenthwaite Lake; roadside parking is limited in summer.
Best Time to Visit Bassenthwaite Lake#
Best visited late spring through autumn; for solitude and birdlife, aim for early morning or autumn months.
Weather & Climate near Bassenthwaite Lake#
Bassenthwaite Lake's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1275 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 138 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 102 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 106 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 76 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 74 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 15.8h |
| June | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 75 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.9h |
| July | Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 84 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.4h |
| August | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 99 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 108 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 12° | 7° | 138 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 134 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | 0° | 141 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
