--- title: "Seatoller, Seathwaite and Stonethwaite | Visit Keswick, Lake District" url: https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite description: "The head of Borrowdale: the graphite that started Keswick’s pencil industry, Honister Slate Mine, and the walk up Scafell Pike." --- A steep slope of loose grey slate spoil below the summit of Castle Crag ## Where the pencils began These small settlements sit at the head of Borrowdale, in the northern Lake District, seven miles south of Keswick on the B5289. The raw material for Keswick’s great industry was, the story goes, found by a shepherd at Seathwaite in 1550. The substance — black lead, or graphite — was first used for marking sheep, which is how Borrowdale comes to claim the first pencils in the world. Farming and mining were the traditional industries here. The first records of quarrying at Honister date from 1643, and the mine prospered enough to employ over a hundred men. Through the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries the mines were at their most productive. ## At the head of the valley Seatoller is seven miles from Keswick on the B5289, with commanding views of the Borrowdale fells. It sits at the foot of the Honister Pass, which winds through a succession of bends for a mile and a half to the top and the buildings of the slate mine, then over to Buttermere. The village is surrounded by fells, rich pasture and ancient deciduous woodland — Johnny Wood among others is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Close by is the tiny hamlet of Stonethwaite, home to Borrowdale Primary School and the small and beautiful church of St Andrew. The 78 runs between Keswick and Seatoller all year, and from April to October the seasonal Honister Rambler runs a circuit in both directions over the pass to Buttermere. [Bus times and routes](https://visitkeswick.com/visitor-info/getting-to-keswick) are on the getting here page. ## From here Scafell Pike do ### [Scafell Pike](https://visitkeswick.com/visitor-info/safety-on-the-fells) Seatoller is a popular start for the highest mountain in England: a mile along the lane to Seathwaite Farm, through the farmyard, up to Stockley Bridge and Grains Gill, then Esk Hause and the summit between Great End and Ill Crag. A serious mountain walk — do not attempt it without the right equipment. A full day [Safety on the fells](https://visitkeswick.com/visitor-info/safety-on-the-fells) A climber on a via ferrata cable bridge with both arms raised in celebration ### [Honister Slate Mine](https://visitkeswick.com/do) At the head of the pass, still producing Westmorland Green Slate — a 450-million-year-old material worked here for centuries. Mine tours, and two via ferrata routes following the original miners’ way to the top. Tours and via ferrata [Visit the mine](https://visitkeswick.com/do) The wooded knoll of Castle Crag standing in the jaws of Borrowdale ### [Castle Crag](https://visitkeswick.com/do/walking-routes/castle-crag-from-seatoller) From the National Trust car park at Seatoller, a short sharp climb onto the wooded knoll that plugs the Jaws of Borrowdale. The surrounding high fells — Great End, Glaramara, Great Gable — start from the same place. Half a day [Walking route](https://visitkeswick.com/do/walking-routes/castle-crag-from-seatoller) The Langstrath valley running back into the fells with autumn colour on the lower slopes ### [Black Moss Pot](https://visitkeswick.com/do/walking-routes/langstrath-valley) Two miles on foot from Stonethwaite up the Langstrath valley: a deep pool in a small ravine with high rocky sides, popular with wild swimmers. The beck below it is a lovely place to picnic and paddle. Wild swimming [Up the Langstrath](https://visitkeswick.com/do/walking-routes/langstrath-valley) An old stone packhorse bridge over a beck with a leaning tree arching over it ## And for a level day Follow the path along the river Derwent past Rosthwaite and Grange, through the Borrowdale valley and down to the shores of Derwentwater. There is a second National Trust car park at the top of the Honister Pass, at 350 metres — a good leg up summits like Dale Head. [Find somewhere to stay](https://visitkeswick.com/stay) ## Other villages nearby The river running past the cottages and gardens of Grange in Borrowdale Grange in Borrowdale Cross the seventeenth-century bridge into Borrowdale for valley views, riverside walks and the Bowder Stone. Explore Grange in Borrowdale Large stepping stones crossing a shallow river between wooded banks Rosthwaite A walking base among Borrowdale’s fells, near the stepping stones, Castle Crag and Langstrath. Explore Rosthwaite Whitewashed cottages and a hotel along the road through Portinscale Portinscale Derwentwater boats, lakeside paths and a fifteen-minute walk over the suspension bridge from Keswick. Explore Portinscale The junction of Braithwaite village with its stone cottages and low walls Braithwaite Walk straight into the Coledale fells or head up Whinlatter Pass to England’s only mountain forest. Explore Braithwaite A quiet road curving through Thornthwaite between trees with the fell above Thornthwaite A quiet village by Whinlatter Forest, with views to Skiddaw and a gallery full of local artists. Explore Thornthwaite Loading map… - Seatoller - Stonethwaite - [Keswick](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/town) - [Rosthwaite](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/rosthwaite) - [Grange in Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/grange-in-borrowdale) - [Buttermere](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/buttermere-and-lorton) ## Where to stay For somewhere to stay close by, see [places to stay in Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/stay/borrowdale) . ## For AI agents - API catalogue: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/api-catalog - Guide for AI agents: https://visitkeswick.com/llms.txt - A2A agent card: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/agent-card.json - MCP server card: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/mcp/server-card.json - Live availability and booking: the site's tools above (MCP connector at https://visitkeswick.com/mcp).