Location: In the north of the Lake District, to the west of Keswick.

Length: Just under 4mls/6km.

Surprisingly this is one of the less frequently visited of the larger lakes. Good scenery (Skiddaw is on its north shore), sailing and boating are provided for, and it is in easy reach of some of the major towns in the area.

If you have ever read Morte d' Arthur by Lord Alfred Tennyson and remember the description of the lake into which the sword Excalibur was thrown, then you may be interested to know that it was Bassenthwaite which inspired Tennyson. He was staying at Mirehouse at the time, overlooking the Lake.

Walks:

When travelling by car along the A66 take the A591 towards Bassenthwaite and Bothel from the roundabout north of Keswick. About 3mls/5km along this road you will come to a car park. This is the starting point for one of the walks along the north side. You could if you wished walk further around the top of the lake and stop for a time on the pebble beach near Ouse Bridge from where the picture above was taken.