So having walked Blencathra and Mungrisdale Common the day before, we look to sort out a gentler walk from the house. My auntie, uncle and cousin were also coming up from St Helens to visit for the day, so we decided on a walk around one end of Derwent Water, straight from our doorstep. My sister had recced the route the day before, and we thought it would make for a nice bimble, before the rain arrived a little later. We were staying in an old hotel, converted to a large holiday let, behind the Borrowdale Hotel at the southern end of Derwent Water. So this meant a short walk across fields would get us to Chinese Bridge before heading off to Manesty and the lake shore. A loop around the woodland, along the road and across more fields would bring us back to the boardwalks and Chinese Bridge. The woodland section took us past the camping site, which Linda used to visit with her parents as a child, so it was nice to head back there and rekindle some memories for her. All that was left was the final fields and a pint or 3 in the Borrowdale Hotel before it was time for food. A superb gathering of the family at a lovely end of Derwent Water.
Taken through a window in the house, looking to Skiddaw at the far end, the Borrowdale Hotel is just down thereFrom mine and Linda’s bedroom we had views to Catbells, with Maiden Moor up on the leftWe are off, along the lane which leads to our house plus a few other cottagesOur place for the weekCrossing the fields now, Walla Crag is up there on the right, and back left is Skiddaw and its surrounding fellsLooking back at the Jaws of BorrowdaleChinese Bridge with all 16 of us on the photo, just me missing as I’m behind the camera. The River Derwent passing under the bridgeThe marshy sections are traversed on boardwalks, Derwent Water can now be seenJust Linda missing on this photo this time as she took this one at the shores of the lake, think this is Abbot’s Bay behind usJust the view here, Blencathra is back middle, which was our walk the day before this oneHeading on around ManestyThis was the caravan/camping site that Linda would have stayed at, probably looks a little different now but the trees, woodland and the lake were all part of her holidays hereLooking across some freshly cut fields, with High Seat back left, the edge of Grange Fell is on the far right of photoGreat Bay as we rejoin the boardwalks back to Chinese BridgeThe 4 eldest cousins sit and wait for the others, I think this is the 12 or 13th year they would have been up here (missing one for covid)On the boardwalk, not under it or down by the sea (for those that know the song)Chinese Bridge with Catbells at the backJust the fields to walk now as head towards Borrowdale, the hotel is over there on the left so we had to check that the beer was tasting nicely for the guests, which it was. Our public duties done we headed back for food at the end of another fine bimble in Lakeland.The next morning the rain was still with us, but it did mean a rainbow or two in front of Maiden MoorThis was an ever present all week, a well prepared family of walkers 😁. Next up will be my attempt to finish off the 214 Wainwrights on Haystacks.
Out walking certainly beats sitting around and chatting. The big bonus is that your walk suited a wide range of ages. It certainly looks a lovely area to live and explore.
I wish we could live there, but we were lucky to have that house for our week’s holiday. We been going to the Lake District as a family since 2008, and as the family has grown, so has the house we need to fit us all in😊
Yes Keswick can get very busy, although Windermere is far worse. Borrowdale was just far enough away from Keswick for us not to be influenced by the hoards at that end of the lake
treksandtors 
Out walking certainly beats sitting around and chatting. The big bonus is that your walk suited a wide range of ages. It certainly looks a lovely area to live and explore.
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I wish we could live there, but we were lucky to have that house for our week’s holiday. We been going to the Lake District as a family since 2008, and as the family has grown, so has the house we need to fit us all in😊
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That house looks nicely situated. Keswick is lovely but can get very busy. Not surprising when you look at the scenery. A lovely family day out.
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Yes Keswick can get very busy, although Windermere is far worse. Borrowdale was just far enough away from Keswick for us not to be influenced by the hoards at that end of the lake
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Can’t beat a family Walk! And what a gorgeous place for it 🙂
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Derwent Water is a lovely part of the world
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Lovely day out and the path wasn’t flooded 😊. I haven’t walked around Derwent water for a while.
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Yes we got lucky with the path, the next day it poured down and after that the water was starting to pool around and on the path
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Excellent walk for a family get together. 🙂
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That is some large family gathering. Making sure the beer is ok is a thankless task but someone has to do it!
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We took to the beer task well, at least 5 or 6 of us checking it thoroughly
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