--- title: "Buttermere valley | Visit Keswick, Lake District" url: https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/buttermere description: "Three lakes in one glaciated valley, the Rannerdale bluebells in May, England’s highest waterfall, and the villages of Loweswater and Lorton." --- ## Over Honister It is only a short journey from [Borrowdale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/borrowdale) over the dramatic Honister Pass, with its slate quarries, mines and exhibition, into the lovely Lake District valley containing the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater. The lake of Buttermere, set in its amphitheatre of mountains, is a tranquil scene made more dramatic by the play of light and shade in the narrow valley — the low-level four-mile walk round it is a delight, and is described on [the Buttermere lake page](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/buttermere) . view of a valley ## Three lakes, and once there were two The Buttermere valley is the only valley in Cumbria possessing three lakes. Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater occupy the long glaciated valley leading north and west towards Cockermouth and the coast. Buttermere and Crummock Water were originally one large lake. They are separated now by a spread of material brought down by the mountain streams over thousands of years — you can walk across it in a few minutes, between one lake and the next. The much larger Crummock Water is closely followed by the road, with many vantage points looking towards the dramatic slopes of Mellbreak. About a mile up Scale Beck, which flows into Crummock, is Scale Force — the highest waterfall in England, with a drop of 120 feet. A fellside covered in bluebells and gorse looking up the valley to the high fells ## Rannerdale in May In early to mid May the valley of Rannerdale turns blue, covered in bluebells. There are two roadside car parks at Cinderdale Common on the B5289 between Lorton and Buttermere, just at the foot of the valley. Be sure to get there early during this period, as it is very popular. Combine the bluebells with a stroll along the shore of Crummock Water, or — for a longer walk — the circular route to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts, a small fell with great views over the valley and its lakes. ## Loweswater and Lorton Small and picturesque settlements are scattered across the widening valley, where the water from the third lake passes through the hamlet of Loweswater, which shares its name. High and Low Lorton combine to make the first large village in the valley, at the foot of the Whinlatter Pass leading over to [Thornthwaite](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/thornthwaite) and Keswick, where the ground opens out into the broad Lorton Vale. It is a very traditional settlement in a lovely location, and justly popular for its amenities — there is more about it on the [Buttermere and Lorton village page](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/buttermere-and-lorton) . ## The other valleys 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 A wide green valley of hedged fields with a long fell ridge above it Borrowdale A valley running from Derwentwater to Scafell Pike, with villages, climbing crags and the Rambler bus all the way through. Explore Borrowdale 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 Loading map… - Buttermere - [Keswick](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/town) - [Buttermere lake](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/buttermere) - [Crummock Water](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/crummock-water) - Loweswater - [Lorton](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/buttermere-and-lorton) - [Seatoller](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/seatoller-and-stonethwaite) ## 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).