Braithwaite | Visit Keswick, Lake District

The village

Braithwaite sits two and a half miles from Keswick, reached by car off the A66. There is a village shop and there are pubs; for a wider choice of shops, restaurants, a theatre and a cinema, Keswick is a few minutes away.

The village is served by the X4 and X5 between Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith. Bus times and routes are on the getting here page.

An old stone packhorse bridge over a beck with a wooden signpost beside it

Walking from the door

Walkers are spoilt here. It would be quite possible to leave the car in the village and walk from your door for a fortnight without retracing your steps.

Grisedale Pike, Barrow and Outerside all start from the village, as does the Coledale Round — the horseshoe taking in Grisedale Pike, Eel Crag and Crag Hill. The Newlands valley is over the shoulder of the fell behind.

See the walking routes from Braithwaite.

Up the Whinlatter Pass

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Whinlatter Forest
England’s only true mountain forest, managed by Forestry England, two miles up the pass. Walking and mountain-bike trails, a visitor centre and the WildPlay Trail. Check current conditions, access and seasonal transport information before visiting. The Wow Trail has a nature hide and a viewpoint over Bassenthwaite Lake.
Two miles up the pass
Visit
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Cyclewise Whinlatter
Bike hire and a shop at the trail centre, so you can ride the forest without bringing your own.
Bike hire
Hire a bike
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Go Ape Whinlatter
Independently operated Go Ape offers Treetop Adventure for ages 4+ and Treetop Adventure Plus for ages 6+. Height and supervision requirements also apply; check directly with Go Ape.
Treetop Adventure 4+; Adventure Plus 6+
Check requirements
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Force Crag Mine
The last mineral mine worked in the Lake District, above the village at the head of Coledale. Restored and cared for by volunteers, with regular National Trust guided tours of the above-ground processing mill.
Guided tours
Tour dates