Grange-in-Borrowdale

Why visit Grange-in-Borrowdale?

Grange packs an astonishing amount of the Lake District's best into a tiny space. You've got an iconic bridge that's a photograph in itself; Castle Crag, a short, steep little fell with a view out of all proportion to its height; the River Derwent for paddling and swimming; and the Bowder Stone and the wider drama of Borrowdale on the doorstep — all wrapped in what many people reckon is the loveliest valley in the Lakes.

It works as a quiet, scenic base (a country-house hotel, a farm campsite, cottages) or as a superb day out from Keswick — ideally by the open-top bus or the launch, given how small the car park is. What it isn't is a place with shops or much in the way of evening life: that's part of the charm, but plan around it.

Things to do

• The double bridge — the village's signature: a twin-arched packhorse bridge of 1675 over the Derwent, and a lovely spot to start.
• Castle Crag — the short, sharp classic (see Walks below): old quarry caves, boulders and a tree swing on the way up make it a winner with children.
• The River Derwent — shingle beaches for paddling and wild swimming, and gentle riverside strolls; take the usual care with cold water and after rain.
• The Bowder Stone — a short walk or bus-hop up the valley to the famous giant balanced boulder, with a ladder to the top (a guaranteed hit with kids).
• King's How (Grange Fell) — the National Trust top above the village, dedicated to Edward VII, with a fine Borrowdale view for modest effort.

Walks & fells from Grange

For such a small village, the walking is superb:

• Castle Crag — at 290 m, the lowest of the 214 Wainwrights, and a brilliant short, steep climb straight from the village via the old slate-quarry caves. It's a genuine easy & family walk in spirit (short, with big rewards), though the final pull is steep and loose.
• The Bowder Stone & River Derwent loop — a gentle, largely level easy walk taking in the famous boulder and the riverside bridleway.
• King's How (Grange Fell) and Grange Fell — Brund Fell, with Great Crag beyond toward Watendlath.
• The high ridge above Borrowdale — Maiden Moor, High Spy and Dale Head, linked on our Catbells–Maiden Moor–High Spy route.

Check the live "Best Fells today" conditions before you set off. The Fells & walks nearby box below lists the closest summits with a full guide.

Where to stay

Accommodation is the main reason people search for Grange, and it's mostly self-catering cottages — a good range, many of them dog-friendly, from simple to smart. For a hotel, the Borrowdale Gates is a country-house hotel on the edge of the village with well-regarded (2 AA-rosette) cooking; for camping, Hollows Farm is a working hill farm just outside the village with a seasonal campsite and glamping (open roughly Easter to October). It's a peaceful, scenic base — just book ahead, as there isn't much of it.

Food & drink

Eating options in the village itself are limited and have changed in recent years, so it pays to check ahead. The Borrowdale Gates Hotel is the reliable choice for a proper meal (dinner, and lighter lunches) — worth knowing that Grange was historically a Methodist "dry" village, and the hotel's licence is a relatively modern arrival. A tearoom by the bridge has long served walkers, but its provision has been intermittent of late — don't count on it without checking. For anything more, Keswick (four miles north) has the full range of pubs, cafés and shops; stock up there.

Getting there & parking

Without a car: The nearest stations as the crow flies are Windermere (25 km away) and Aspatria (26 km away); the 78 and the 77A stop at Grange, at Bowder Stone, 0.7 km from here. The bus map has every stop we hold.

Grange is about four miles south of Keswick on the B5289 Borrowdale road. There's no railway station (Keswick is the nearest town, Penrith the nearest railhead). The best way to arrive is car-free: the open-top 78 Borrowdale bus runs from Keswick down the valley (daily, including holidays, in season), and in summer the Derwentwater launch lands nearby (Hawes End / High Brandelhow) for a walk in along the shore. If you must drive, there's only a small car park by the double bridge — it's very limited and fills early, so arrive first thing or, better, leave the car in Keswick and take the bus or boat.

Practical & nearby

The village is very dog-friendly, with riverside and fell walks from the door; facilities are minimal, so use Keswick for shops and amenities. Easy outings from Grange take in the Bowder Stone, Rosthwaite and Seatoller further up the valley, Watendlath (the tarn and packhorse bridge), Honister Pass and slate mine, and back down toward Keswick, Derwentwater and Portinscale.