--- title: "Borrowdale | Visit Keswick, Lake District" url: https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/borrowdale description: "The valley running south from Derwentwater to Scafell Pike — its villages, its climbing crags, and the bus that runs the length of it all year." --- ## One of the most idyllic places on earth The Borrowdale valley runs for some ten miles from the high fells — 977-metre Scafell Pike is the highest summit — down to the shores of [Derwentwater](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/derwentwater) . Some four miles from Keswick, past the impressive Lodore Falls, is the small and attractive village of [Grange in Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/grange-in-borrowdale) , reached over a striking two-arched bridge and a popular stopping place for a picnic or a cafe. The church of the Holy Trinity dates from 1861. A river winding along the flat floor of Borrowdale between steep green fells ## The Jaws of Borrowdale From Grange the valley narrows into the spectacular Jaws of Borrowdale, with the road and the paths squeezed together into a gorge. Then, with dramatic suddenness, the scene changes to rich pasture bordered by drystone walls, spread across a flat valley floor — and the wide panorama of mountains around the head of Borrowdale is revealed in all its majesty. All of it lies within half an hour of Keswick. ## The villages in the valley The river running past the cottages and gardens of Grange in Borrowdale ### [Grange in Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/grange-in-borrowdale) Four miles from Keswick over the double-arched bridge, with a cafe, a tea garden and the church of the Holy Trinity. Tea and cakes [Read more](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/grange-in-borrowdale) Large stepping stones crossing a shallow river between wooded banks ### [Rosthwaite](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/rosthwaite) Surrounded by magnificent fells, with good pubs and hotels, and the start of the walk over Puddingstone Bank to Watendlath. Walks from the door [Read more](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/rosthwaite) The white farmhouses of Stonethwaite in green pasture below a long bracken fell ### [Stonethwaite](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite) A village school, the beautiful but tiny St Andrew’s Church, and an idyllic campsite at the mouth of the Langstrath valley. Camping [Read more](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite) The narrow street through Seatoller between old cottages hung with flowers ### [Seatoller](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite) At the foot of the Honister Pass, with commanding views of the Borrowdale fells and the road over to Buttermere. Head of the valley ## Getting up the valley ### The Borrowdale Rambler Runs the length of the valley all year. Take the open-top bus from Keswick to Grange, Rosthwaite or Seatoller for tea and cakes, and ride back — no rambling required. [Bus times and routes](https://visitkeswick.com/visitor-info/getting-to-keswick) ### A day rider ticket Covers both the Borrowdale and Honister Rambler routes, so you can get on and off as much as you like all day — out one way and back the other over Honister. ### By launch The bus links with the Derwentwater launches at the lakeside jetties, so the journey up the valley can start on the water. [Derwentwater launches](https://visitkeswick.com/do/derwentwater-lake-cruises) ### Bus out, walk back Leave the bus at Rosthwaite and walk over Puddingstone Bank to Watendlath, or climb Castle Crag — the smallest fell in Wainwright, and the best view of the Jaws. [Watendlath](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/watendlath) A shallow river running over pale cobbles between wooded banks ## Climbing in Borrowdale Borrowdale is one of the most popular places to rock climb in the Lake District, because it has a lot of low-level, fast-drying crags that are easily reached from the road. Three classic routes: Little Chamonix on Shepherd’s Crag, Gillercombe Buttress on Gillercombe, and Troutdale Pinnacle on Black Crag. [Find somewhere to stay](https://visitkeswick.com/stay) ## The other valleys Cattle grazing rough pasture on the valley floor with fells rising on both sides Watendlath A quiet hamlet and tarn at the end of a lane above Borrowdale, best reached on foot from Surprise View. Explore Watendlath A shingle beach curving into the lake below steep bracken-covered fells Buttermere Three lakes in one glaciated valley, with Rannerdale bluebells in May and walks beneath the highest fells. Explore Buttermere A valley of fields and farms seen across the top of a drystone wall with pointed fells beyond Newlands The quiet valley behind Catbells, with Goldscope mine, Beatrix Potter connections and walks from the valley floor to the tops. Explore Newlands A weathered wooden fingerpost pointing to St Johns in the Vale Church and Dale Bottom St John's in the Vale The scenic valley between Keswick and Thirlmere, with its small church, High Rigg and routes towards Helvellyn. Explore St John's in the Vale Loading map… - Borrowdale - [Keswick](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/town) - [Grange in Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/grange-in-borrowdale) - [Rosthwaite](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/rosthwaite) - [Stonethwaite](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite) - [Seatoller](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite) - [Watendlath](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/watendlath) - [Derwentwater](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/derwentwater) ## 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).