Well, we couldn’t have picked a better time for our first camping trip of the year! This very un-British like weather is having its advantages. 🙂
Last week we spent four nights at Scotgate Holiday Park in Braithwaite, near Keswick.
The campsite ( although a little overlooked) is
more or less perfect. Surrounded by a mountinous back drop and boasting a well stocked shop, cafe and shower block with underfloor heating ( No Less!) , Scotgate has a village location and good bus links to nearby Keswick and Cockermouth. Braithwaite itself is a lovely village with 2 pubs, a tea room ( opening soon) and a friendly village shop.
Here are a few photos of what we got up to on our break away.
A lake we have always wanted to visit ‘Buttermere’ is a six mile drive from Braithwaite. A scenic route passes through the Newlands Valley and once in Buttermere village , there is parking near The Fish Hotel.
We loved our meander round Buttermere and I can’t wait to visit nearby Crummock Water and Loweswater.
Braithwaite is surrounded by mountain fells, so one morning we decided to bag another Wainwright ( mine and Hugo’s second! ) and walked up ‘ Barrow’ , one of the more diminutive Wainwright fells. At 1,494 feet , it still felt enormas to me!
We started our walk from the top of the village ( near the Coledale Inn) and the ascent is a gradual one , there is a clearly defined path up through the bracken. Once at the top, the views all around are stunning! The descent is quite steep. We soon realised we had actually done this walk before!! About 10 years ago, before I even really knew about bagging Wainwrights. So what was to be my second,is actually my first, done twice. Doh! Still, the hike up Barrow is definitely worth a repeat performance. 😁
The nearest town to Braithwaite is Keswick, on the shores of Derwentwater. Known as Queen of the Lakes, Derwentwater has a scenic ten mile waymarked path around it, which we walked on our last visit in January. This time however, we thought we would take advantage of the Keswick Launch , whose pleasure boats have transported tourists around the lake since 1935. Its a hop on/hop off service , so fantastic for taking to a certain point then walking back…or vice versa.
We walked from Friars Crag to Ashness Gate , passing The National Trust Centenary Stone at Calfclose Bay. I have wanted to visit the most photographed packhorse bridge in The Lake District, Ashness Bridge since seeing its iconic image on a postcard. A short hike from Ashness Gate, and there it is!! A little further and another wonderful photographic opportunity is Surprise View, where we had a vast uninterrupted vista of Derwentwater.
It was beautiful up there and so tranquil. Imagine clumps of pretty Wild flowers, curling ferns and the sounds of cuckoos calling. :). A cooling boat trip back and a delicious tea at The Square Orange in Keswick. Bliss…
Our last full day of our holiday was also the Royal Wedding day. During the day we visited Dodd Wood where there are two Osprey viewing points , trained over Bassenthwaite Lake. Unfortunately the Osprey were in hiding, but these magnificent raptors nest nearby every year and are often seen flying over the water. Opposite the Dodd Wood car park is the entrance for Mirehouse & Gardens , a beautiful historic mansion and grounds , open to the public. Dogs are allowed in the gardens and grounds, so I persuaded Wil, that we should take a look. 🙂
Mirehouse’s gardens are a riot of colour and there is lots to explore including a Heather Maze, Fernery, Herb Garden, Bee Garden, Poets Walk and nature trails. The grounds reach as far as the lakeside and there are woodland walks with surprises at every corner.
We were definitely late to the Wedding celebrations, but in the evening I did indulge in a Meghan Markle Mac N Cheese at the Coledale Inn , back in Braithwaite. : b
Thanks for reading. X
sunshine and celandines 
A super weekend, lovely photographic memories, and a snuff garden and throne. I had never heard of a snuff garden before. Thanks for taking me along.
Thanks Cathy, think we made the most of our trip! X
It looks and sounds like a fab mini break and you certainly had great weather for it. I love your very first photo of Buttermere, it’s stunning 🙂 Mirehouse Gardens look wonderful – another one to go on my list thanks to your blog 🙂
Thanks Eunice. Mirehouse gardens are lovely and really interesting. I see places on your blog that make me want to visit too. Thats the great thing about blogging and following bloggers. 😁😁
So glad you got to Buttermere. Your campsite was just down the road from the B&B we stay at. Visited most of the places you have written about. Not done Barrow, I’ve put it on my list to do since it doesn’t look strenuous 🙂 lovely photos, makes me want to visit again soon 🙂 x
Ahh yes I remembered that you stopped in Braithwaite and I wondered where abouts.We also saw a couple of Wild Swimmers…and I wondered if they were you! The area is perfect for visiting lovely places. One such place I wish we had visited was Rannerdale for the bluebells, which I remember from your post. :)x
Everything about this post makes me JEALOUS! Love the Lake District and you have captured so many beautiful views and aspects. And that lunch looks yum.
Thanks Ali. 🙂
Have never had such a dry and sunny camping trip. Definitely helps with photos. X
Beautiful photos. And gorgeous Hugo looks like he’s having fun 🙂
Thank you. 😁 Hugo has been catching up on his snoozes ever since!
It looks like you had a nice time in the Lakes. Loweswater is very nice too.
We’ll be going soon – I hope you haven’t used up all the good weather!
Oooh hope not! Where are you going?
Cottage in Ambleside. Can’t wait!
Look forward to your posts. Xx
They will be in a big long queue. *Sighs*
I would love to visit Loweswater. Can you walk round it? X
Beautiful photos! I just love Hugo 😊
Aw thanks.He does have a habit of looking sorry for himself when we try and make him pose. X
Haha..my Yorkie hides when I aim a camera at him, lol.
They can be very camera shy. 😉 x
I’m there next week, can’t wait!!
Oh wow. Brilliant. Where are you heading? I remember your post about walking round Buttermere. 🙂
We are staying Keswick. Walk planned possibly for Blencathra and maybe one around Patterdale as well. Weather looking very promising so fingers crossed. Glad you liked Buttermere, fab place
Love Keswick.
I’m lucky, my Mum lives near Penrith, so we are up there again visiting in a couple of weeks too. Enjoy your trip.
Harvey and Riley are most envious of Hugo’s excellent swimming opportunities recently! Wow. That would totally make a nice change from stinky river water! Every time I read your posts I want to head North! 😬
Hugo had an amazing time. He is still recovering!! Xx
It all looks so beautiful. Every time I read of one of your little getaways I just end of feeling envious! Wish I’d been there!
The Lakes are beautiful. However I need to visit the Peak District. Still haven’t been camping there. X
Our paths missed once again! We were enjoying a 3 day stay in Clitheroe while you were enjoying the Lakes. One of these days we’ll be in the same place at the same time!
Oh heck! Where did you stay? Hope you had a good time. X
51.5 – a lovely B&B run by Andrew and Dawn. Will deffo stay again when exploring Ribble Valley.
Gorgeous photos of the adorable Hugo and the glorious Lake District! I’ve never been to Buttermere : it looks stunning. It’s not an easy place to get to for non-drivers like me. Bus services are infrequent and as far as I know don’t go close to the lake side. 😔
Thank you. Yes if your a non-driver ( I am too, but I am lucky that my partner drives) Buttermere might be a bit difficult. I do remember seeing a bus going through the Newlands valley, so it may be possible. I hope you get to visit there oneday. X