Derwentwater
Lake Lake in England's Lake District, scenic fells
Lake near Keswick in England’s Lake District popular for boat trips, lakeside walks and access to nearby fells such as Catbells; visitors combine outdoor activity with Keswick’s amenities.
Derwentwater is a lake in the Lake District National Park in north-west England, immediately south of the town of Keswick in Cumbria. It is one of the principal lakes serving Keswick and the Borrowdale valley area.
Shore paths and fells around the lake are used for walking, cycling and short boat trips; organised launch services link multiple jetties and provide scenic cruises. The lake contains several small wooded islands that are visible from the shore and from boats.
The area around Derwentwater has been visited for leisure since the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the wider Lake District tourism tradition; infrastructure for boating and walking developed through the Victorian period and expanded in the 20th century.
Derwentwater sits within the central Lake District, directly adjacent to Keswick and surrounded by characteristic fells such as Catbells and Skiddaw, providing a mix of lakeshore and upland scenery.
- Boat services: Boat launches operate from Keswick and several jetties around the lake during the main visitor season, providing short cruises and hop-on hop-off calls.
- Walking routes: The lake shore walk and nearby fells such as Catbells provide popular short- and medium-length walks offering views across the water and towards the surrounding hills.
What to See #
- St Herbert's Island: A small wooded island associated with St Herbert, historically linked to an early Christian hermit; the island is accessible by boat in summer and is a local focus for short boat trips.
- Derwent and other islets: Derwent Isle and other small wooded islets scattered across the lake provide nesting habitat for waterfowl and are visible from the shore paths and boat services.
How to Get to Derwentwater #
Derwentwater is the lake immediately south of the market town of Keswick in England’s Lake District; most access points, boat launches and lakeside paths are within a few minutes’ walk of Keswick town centre. The nearest mainline railhead is Penrith (about 17 km / ~10-11 miles east) - from Penrith take a local bus or taxi to Keswick (roughly 25-30 minutes by road). By car Keswick is reached from the M6 via the A66 and A591 (around 45-60 minutes from the motorway depending on traffic).
Tips for Visiting Derwentwater #
- Start at Keswick early in the morning to catch the lake at its calmest and to board the Keswick launch before it fills-early departures give the best reflections and fewer crowds on the main pier.
- Take the short walk to Friars Crag for the classic Derwentwater view-this viewpoint is compact and often quieter than the busy boat landings, offering a sweeping vista of the lake and surrounding fells.
- To escape the busiest shore paths, take the launch service to the quieter southern shore (Grange/Portinscale direction) or choose less-traveled lakeside trails on the western and northern edges for peaceful sections of shoreline.
Best Time to Visit Derwentwater #
Visit late spring to early autumn for milder weather and full outdoor access, keeping in mind the Lake District's frequent rain and summer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Derwentwater #
Derwentwater'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 (1251 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (137 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (137 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
