Braithwaite

Why base here

Braithwaite is a walkers’ village two and a half miles from Keswick, built beside Coledale Beck at the foot of Whinlatter Pass. Keswick.org says it would be possible to leave the car here and walk from the door for a fortnight without retracing a step, and the hills bear that out: Grisedale Pike rises straight above the village, and Wikipedia gives Braithwaite as the start and finish of the 11-mile Coledale Round. It has a village shop and pubs, and for anything larger Keswick is a few minutes away by road. It is a better base for a week of hard days than for a week of browsing.

On foot versus by car

Grisedale Pike climbs from the edge of the village by the north-east ridge, and the circuit by Hopegill Head and Coledale returns past Force Crag Mine, so once you are staying here it needs no further travel. The mine, the last mineral mine in the Lake District, is owned by the National Trust, which runs regular guided tours of the above-ground mill. Whinlatter Forest lies two miles up the pass and is a drive or a long climb, and Catbells starts at Hawse End, which is reached from Keswick by launch or lakeshore path, so it is a trip out rather than a walk from the door.

Practicalities

Braithwaite is served by the X4 and X5, the Stagecoach services that link Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington, so Penrith is the nearest railway station. Parking at the start of the walks is limited, and the village has no large car park: the small area at the foot of the pass and the school car park, open at weekends and school holidays, are what the National Park Authority and WalkLakes list. Check current times, donation arrangements and any restrictions before you travel.