Friar's Crag, Derwent Water

Mark Tracey Keiran and Kerris Douglas

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A lovely gentle stroll to Friar's Crag on Derwent Water for breathtaking views of Derwent and the surrounding fells. There is a memorial stone on Friar's Crag to John Ruskin (1819-1900), one of the great figures of the Victorian age, poet, artist, critic, social revolutionary and conservationist. The stone bears the inscription 'The first thing which I remember as an event in my life was being taken by my nurse to the brow of Friar's Crag on Derwent Water'.

Friar's Crag (so called as it is said to have been the embarkation point for monks on pilgrimage to St Herbert's Island) may also be familiar to others as one of the settings for Arthur Ransome's 1958 Classic Children's book Swallows and Amazons. In the novel Friar's Crag became 'Darien', 'a promontory that dropped like a cliff into the lake' and was the children's lookout spot and first campsite.

As the walk continues beyond Friar's Crag around a small bay, you will enjoy possibly one of the finest views in the Lake District across Derwent Water with the Jaws of Borrowdale in the far distance and the prominent ridgeline of Cat Bells on the west shore.

The walk meanders into pleasant woodland and returns along a footpath parallel to the Borrowdale Road before heading into Cockshot Wood to return to the car park.

This walk is particularly rewarding for walkers with prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs, who can freely enjoy the beauty of Derwent without the usual restrictions, as there are no stiles on this walk and the paths are clear and even.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North West

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Good for Wheelchairs, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, Mountains, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

6/20/2007 - Stephen Harris

Superb and stunning views from Friars Crag and along the lake shore. The road walking section was a little uninspiring (might be worth re-thinking this to avoid and return via Cockshot Wood proper or take in Castlehead Wood and the viewpoint). Good views and a nice stroll with no effort though, so worthy of 8/10. Well done!