--- title: "Valleys | Visit Keswick, Lake District" url: https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys description: "Borrowdale, Watendlath, Buttermere, Newlands and St John’s in the Vale — the five valleys within reach of Keswick, and what each one is like." --- ## Down on the valley floor The scenery of the Lake District can often be seen at its best in the valleys: broad stretches of green fields and woodland, with traditional buildings and villages and hamlets in picturesque settings, offering accommodation and refreshments. Explore the winding lanes around Borrowdale, Watendlath, Newlands, Buttermere and St John’s in the Vale. Peaceful river and meadow walks can be found in all of them, with the surrounding craggy fells adding grandeur to the views. Loading map… - [Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/borrowdale) - [Watendlath](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/watendlath) - [Buttermere](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/buttermere) - [Newlands](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/newlands) - [St John's in the Vale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/st-johns-in-the-vale) - [Keswick](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/town) A wide green valley of hedged fields with a long fell ridge above it 4 miles out Borrowdale Ten miles from the lake shore to Scafell Pike, through the Jaws of Borrowdale — with the Rambler bus running the length of it all year. boats on the water 3 miles out Watendlath A hamlet, a packhorse bridge and a seven-acre tarn at the end of a dead-end lane. Better walked in from Surprise View than driven. A shingle beach curving into the lake below steep bracken-covered fells 7 miles out Buttermere The only valley in Cumbria with three lakes in it, and the Rannerdale bluebells in the second week of May. A valley of fields and farms seen across the top of a drystone wall with pointed fells beyond Newlands Quiet and unspoilt behind Catbells, with a whitewashed church, Beatrix Potter’s Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, and the Goldscope mine. three black horses with mountain background St John's in the Vale Under the crags of the Helvellyn range, with a small church of 1845, a long view to Blencathra, and Thirlmere at the far end. Most of them without a car ## Most of them without a car Please note that many of the valleys are only accessible by bus from April - October, during the winter months you will need a car to access Buttermere but the 78 Borrowdale bus runs all year round. St John’s in the Vale sits on the 555 along the A591 between Keswick and Windermere. Watendlath and Newlands are the two that really do want a car — or, better in both cases, a walk in from the main valley. [Bus times and routes](https://visitkeswick.com/visitor-info/getting-to-keswick) are on the getting here page. [Find somewhere to stay](https://visitkeswick.com/stay) ## 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 - Personal Agent Protocol: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/poppy.json - Live availability and booking: the site's tools above (MCP connector at https://visitkeswick.com/mcp).