Wast Water Lake
England's deepest lake in the Lake District
England's deepest lake, set in Wasdale Valley beneath peaks such as Scafell Pike and Great Gable; walkers come for mountain routes, valley scenery and photography.
Wast Water at a Glance#
Address: Wast Water, Wasdale Head, Cumbria, England, UK
About Wast Water#
Wast Water is a glacial lake in the Wasdale valley of England’s Lake District National Park and is the deepest lake in England at about 79 metres maximum depth. It is noted for its dramatic, steep-sided valley setting.
The shoreline and lake are framed by high fells and the steep screes on the eastern shore, creating a compact, rugged landscape popular with walkers and photographers. The lake is roughly 2.5 to 3 kilometres in length and is overlooked by routes that ascend surrounding peaks.
Historically the lake and valley are the product of glacial excavation during the last ice ages; the high surrounding fells have long been used for sheep grazing and hillwalking. Over the 19th and 20th centuries the area became popular with outdoor recreationists and is now managed within the Lake District National Park.
Wast Water sits in the remote Wasdale valley in Cumbria in northwest England, with the small settlement of Wasdale Head at the valley head; larger towns on the coast and elsewhere in the national park provide the nearest services.
- Depth: Maximum depth is about 79 metres, making it the deepest lake in England.
What to See#
- Wast Water lake and screes: A narrow lake about 2.5 to 3.0 kilometres long set in a deep glacially carved valley, with steep scree slopes known as the Wasdale Screes along its eastern shore.
- Wasdale Head and access points: The small settlement of Wasdale Head sits at the head of the valley and serves as a common starting point for walks onto the surrounding fells, including routes toward Scafell Pike.
How to Get to Wast Water#
Wast Water is reached via narrow country roads to Wasdale Head in Cumbria. The nearest towns with broader services are Gosforth and Seascale. Public transport is limited; most visitors arrive by car or as part of guided Lake District tours.
Tips for Visiting Wast Water#
- Walk the lakeshore in the very early morning for quiet and chance encounters with mountain light on the water.
- Be cautious on exposed paths near Screes - sudden weather shifts can create strong winds across the lake's narrow ridge.
- Visit the nearby Wasdale National Trust museum in the village to learn about local mining history and Donald Campbell's connection to the lake.
Best Time to Visit Wast Water#
Late spring through early autumn provides the most comfortable walking weather and clearer access to trails.
Weather & Climate near Wast Water#
Wast Water's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1286 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 134 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 6° | -1° | 97 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 108 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 81 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 76 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 15.8h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 77 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.9h |
| July | Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 83 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.4h |
| August | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 101 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 111 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 12° | 6° | 144 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 136 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 138 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
